With today’s high value placed on opinions and self-expression, it’s easy to forget we aren’t our own. We serve a master, and while we get to choose which master to honor, eventually, we all will be accountable to God. (See Romans 6:16 and Romans 14: 12) Given this fact, it’s in our best interest to know what God finds well-pleasing. If we were in Old-Testament times, we’d point to the Law given to Moses, but we New Testament believers are told that love is that fulfillment of the Law (Romans 13:10). Therefore, if love is God’s standard for us, then we need to look more closely at how He defines it.
His kind of love gives all. God, who is by definition love, gave His only Son that we could have everlasting life. If our love mimics this, then it will compel us to go the extra mile, even when it is painful, for the sake of someone else’s salvation. (See John 3:16 and 1 John 4:8). 1 Corinthians 13 gives the quantifiers of this kind of love. Longsuffering. Kind. Without envy or pride or offense. Selfless. Considers others needs first. Doesn’t get roweled up or act out of emotions. Has pure thoughts toward others. Delights in the Truth while avoiding sin. Stands up under pressure. Endures with patient hope. Is steadfast... In other words, love is only about the giving, not the receiving, of things. Love makes God and people the object of its focus. As a result, it is the distinguishing characteristic of Christians. John 13:35—"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
Love has two pillars: God and others.
Repeatedly, Jesus taught to love God and love others. Paul exhorts believers to do the same. In Romans, when he explains that love fulfills the law, he says we are to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh. Paul illustrates how love operates in his resolution for differences of opinion within the body. Two frames of thought at the time of his writing were derived from converted pagans and converted Jews. Each brought into the church traditions concerning what was allowable to eat and how to honor the Sabbath. Rather than let the difference of opinion fragment the church, Paul taught how to implement the principle of love. While stronger faith made room for more liberty, the stronger faith was also held more responsible for those considered less flexible, or weaker, in the faith. Romans 15:1-3 says, “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself…” In other words, love should triumph over differences when we see God's love for us all and behold His body as more important than our own.
Love unifies and evangelizes, connecting us with God and His ever-expanding Body of believers. It's power, however, is supernatural. “…because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” Romans 5:5. That’s what’s beautiful about it. It is not self-manufactured. Not derived from our flesh, love is God's impartation of Himself to us. We see things differently because of His Spirit. Having the love of God through the indwelling Spirit is having, holding, and knowing God intimately. It is transformative, influencing our ability to go against our will, changing our very nature, and purifying our offering into that which is well-pleasing to God. The love that God has for us flows through us to others, it reaches upward in God-awareness, and it conforms us into His own image, so that we can be presented faultless, looking like Christ's flawlessness, when we take our turn to stand before the Master of all.
Tip/Tidbit: Invite love into your heart by inviting the Spirit of God to make His home within you. You’ll be amazed at the change He makes in you and the change you feel toward Him and toward your fellowman.
His kind of love gives all. God, who is by definition love, gave His only Son that we could have everlasting life. If our love mimics this, then it will compel us to go the extra mile, even when it is painful, for the sake of someone else’s salvation. (See John 3:16 and 1 John 4:8). 1 Corinthians 13 gives the quantifiers of this kind of love. Longsuffering. Kind. Without envy or pride or offense. Selfless. Considers others needs first. Doesn’t get roweled up or act out of emotions. Has pure thoughts toward others. Delights in the Truth while avoiding sin. Stands up under pressure. Endures with patient hope. Is steadfast... In other words, love is only about the giving, not the receiving, of things. Love makes God and people the object of its focus. As a result, it is the distinguishing characteristic of Christians. John 13:35—"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
Love has two pillars: God and others.
Repeatedly, Jesus taught to love God and love others. Paul exhorts believers to do the same. In Romans, when he explains that love fulfills the law, he says we are to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh. Paul illustrates how love operates in his resolution for differences of opinion within the body. Two frames of thought at the time of his writing were derived from converted pagans and converted Jews. Each brought into the church traditions concerning what was allowable to eat and how to honor the Sabbath. Rather than let the difference of opinion fragment the church, Paul taught how to implement the principle of love. While stronger faith made room for more liberty, the stronger faith was also held more responsible for those considered less flexible, or weaker, in the faith. Romans 15:1-3 says, “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself…” In other words, love should triumph over differences when we see God's love for us all and behold His body as more important than our own.
Love unifies and evangelizes, connecting us with God and His ever-expanding Body of believers. It's power, however, is supernatural. “…because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” Romans 5:5. That’s what’s beautiful about it. It is not self-manufactured. Not derived from our flesh, love is God's impartation of Himself to us. We see things differently because of His Spirit. Having the love of God through the indwelling Spirit is having, holding, and knowing God intimately. It is transformative, influencing our ability to go against our will, changing our very nature, and purifying our offering into that which is well-pleasing to God. The love that God has for us flows through us to others, it reaches upward in God-awareness, and it conforms us into His own image, so that we can be presented faultless, looking like Christ's flawlessness, when we take our turn to stand before the Master of all.
Tip/Tidbit: Invite love into your heart by inviting the Spirit of God to make His home within you. You’ll be amazed at the change He makes in you and the change you feel toward Him and toward your fellowman.
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