Jun
9
About: Love
Filed by Becky Albrecht Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
Someone (besides Stevie Nicks in her song “Landslide”) mentioned ‘what is love?’
Here are some thoughts:
Love is an action verb.
The motivation and impetus for love is Christ.
The Bible tells us: “We love because he first loved us.” (I John 4:19)
Love does not depend on the recipient, but on the giver, who is empowered by the love and the cross of Christ.
”For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (I Corinthians 1:18)
“If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (I Peter 4:11)
The Amplified Bible translation of Philippians 4:13 reads:
“I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].”
Love is an act of the will. It is the fruit that blossoms because of Christ’s great love for me.
”But the fruit of the Spirit is love…” (Galatians 5:22)
Love is an action that is demonstrated.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
My “to do” list always includes the assignment to “love one another.”
”Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (I John 4:11)
This includes those who otherwise might be considered “unlovely.”
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ lend to ‘sinners,’ expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:32-36)
After telling the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus asked his listeners: “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
He received this reply: “The one who had mercy on him.”
To which Jesus gave this directive: “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:36-37)
He also told his followers that they would be “blessed” if they followed his example:
“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” (John 13:14-17)
Jesus summed up God’s law by saying: “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:37-38)
Love is also an gauge that indicates that we are Christ’s disciples:
“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)
”We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren.” (I John 3:14)
”If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And He has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.” (I John 4:20-21)
Sometimes we might think, “I already tried that, and it didn’t work.” Remember that we do not love in order to change another person. “It” has, in fact, already “worked.” Christ has already done the work. He has provided the love for us, and has told us to go and serve/love others.
If, after reading these thoughts, you (like me) realize how far short of God’s standard we have fallen, remember with me that God’s grace is sufficient for _all_ of my sins. As Tim Keller puts it: “I am more sinful and flawed than I ever dared believe” yet at the same time, because of the cross, “I am more accepted and loved than I ever dared hope.” (II Corinthians 5:21) [For more help with these thoughts, you might click on Evangelism Explosion link to the left.]
Remember, too, that God has given us each other to be encouraged by along the way. (Hebrews 3:13)
Someone once said, ”Insomuch as any one pushes you nearer to God, he or she is your friend.”
If you think that confidential help or encouragement might be of assistance [one in need helping one in need], feel free to get in touch with me via contact link above.
May you be blessed!
