Many of us are familiar with John 3: 16, “For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life” (NIV). God the Father loved us so much that He gave His son Jesus to die in our place. There is no Love that is Greater, period! As you can see “Love” has a major role in the life of a Child of God. The Father's great Love for us is the purpose of Jesus' ministry on Earth, but He also commands us to Love each other.
One of my favorite quotes comes from Dr. David Jeremiah, a pastor, and author, “Love is worthless unless it acts out, unless it's expressed in deed and behavior.” Love is an action word or verb. In order to love, one needs to move and express feelings. This can be done with words and deeds. Letting a person know you love them by telling them how much you care or by being there for them during the good and not so good times in their lives. If we love one another, we cannot hate one another! Love only lives in the absence of hate.
In Mathew 22: 37-40 Jesus explained this after the disciples ask Him about the greatest commandment in the Law, “ Jesus replied, 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. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (NIV). As you can see, We are commanded to love. Our love for the Father and one another is the Key.
Corinthians 13:1 Paul stated, “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” (NIV). Paul also spoke of love in Romans 13:8, “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law” (NIV).
Loving the Father first means giving our whole life and heart over to Him and trusting Him to love us back. Loving our neighbors as ourselves means seeing them in the same light that we see ourselves. In John 15:12 Jesus Christ stated, “My command is this; love each other as I have loved you” (NIV). If we love the Father first, we can take that love and turn it around to our brothers and sisters. We can forgive them and love them with the same love and forgiveness the Father has given us.
I will leave you this week with a reminder of what “Love” really is. 1 Corinthians 13:4 tells it as it is, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. Use this verse along with Jesus' action of love, as He gave His life for ours on the Cross, to love your neighbor as you love yourself.
Have a Blessed Week Loving each Other,
Your Sister in Christ,
Jacque Barnes
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you so much for your comment. God Bless you.