"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. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing." - 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
Love looks out not in. It never asks, "But what about me?" "What about what I need?" "What about what I want?"
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
When Jesus was being tested, He was asked what the greatest commandment was. His answer? Summed up in one word, Love. He said first love God the Father and then second, love others. There are no narcissists in heaven. People who put themselves first ahead of everyone, including God.
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen." - 1 John 4:18-20
When we love God, the overflow will be love for others. Our love for others is the demonstration of our love for God. Loving others the way God loves us is not natural, it is supernatural. Do you remember the story of the good Samaritan in Luke chapter 10? The man in the ditch was a Jew. The other, outwardly religious Jews who saw him lying in the ditch passed him by. Too focused on themselves to care about someone else - especially someone that would require them to go out of their way.
But along came a Samaritan. Someone despised by the Jews. Looking past that, he had compassion on the man in the ditch and went above and beyond what the man deserved. On a better day, that same man in the ditch may not have even given the same Samaritan the time of day. He, himself, may have crossed on the other side of the road to avoid someone considered "unclean". Of course, you remember John 3:16. When Jesus crossed the heavenly road to help sinful mankind lying in the ditch.
As sinners we were enemies of God and yet, out of His great love, God sent His Son to die for us. To quote a song by Sam and Dave - God (my addition) "You didn't have to do what you did but you did, and I thank you! You didn't have to love me like you did but you did, and I thank you." He didn't have to cross the road when I was lying in the ditch bound for an eternity in hell, but He did - oh - I could go on and on. But you get the idea. Hey, that brought another song to mind.
"The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell; It goes beyond the highest star and reaches to the lowest hell; The guilty pair, bowed down with care, God gave His Son to win; His erring child He reconciled, and pardoned from his sin. Oh, love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong! It shall forevermore endure— The saints’ and angels’ song." The Love Of God, Frederick M. Lehman.
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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