A PERFECT WORLD?

BIBLE PASSAGE:
“My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart
and united in love, so that they may have the full riches
of complete understanding, in order that they may know
the mystery of God, namely, Christ.”
(Colossians 2:2)

MEDITATION:
What would a perfect world look like to you? If you could live
in a world where everyone got along with each other, would
that make you happy?

What if everyone not only got along, but they also encouraged
each other?

What if they not only got along and encouraged each other,
but they were also united with a bond of love?

If we were all united in love, then we would expect to see that
getting along with each other, and encouraging each other
would be a natural by-product of that love, wouldn’t we?
Love means we have a desire to get along with others. It also
means we want to see them be the best they can be.

Love has many positive by-products, such as:
– Patience
    (means tolerating the mistakes of others)

– Kindness
    (means knowing how to treat other people respectfully)

– No jealousy
    (means being content with oneself and one’s own blessings)

– No boasting
    (means not feeling that things like possessions
     or accomplishments is what defines a person)

– No arrogance
    (Means not being egotistical, but having a kind and humble spirit)

– No rudeness shown to others
    (means having a sensitive awareness and consideration of others)

– Doesn’t have to have their own way
    (means realizing and admitting they don’t have all the answers)

– No irritability
    (means having a capacity to contain any feelings of frustrations)

– No resentfulness
    (means being glad to see others being blessed)

– No rejoicing over wrong things, or events
    (means preferring good over evil)

– Rejoicing over right things happening
    (means enjoying seeing others doing the right thing)

– Bearing all things
    (means having a gentle strength and confidence;
     and, an ability to “absorb” any wrongful actions from others)

– Believing in the possibilities of others
    (means having a faith that others can maximize their abilities)

– Having hope in all things
    (means realizing that strength is gained by the knowledge of
     one’s eternal destiny – the hope of our heavenly destination)

– Enduring all things
    (means confidently handling any persecutions from
     others without having any intentions of getting revenge)

– Knowing that true love never ends
    (means being genuine with feelings and expressions of love)

When we review the list above, it sounds like a perfect formula
for a successful marriage, doesn’t it? When a couple has these
qualities, they can enjoy their years of marriage and avoid the
pitfalls that damage relationships when these characteristics
and attitudes are not present.

Some couples are ‘enduring’ a loveless marriage because they
fail to understand the concept and requirements of genuine
love.

Without love as the ‘hub’ of a marriage, how can we expect
the problem ‘spokes’ to be handled in the right way. Since
there are some couples who fail to understand the concept
and importance of love in a marriage relationship (or maybe
they understand it but fail to practice it), we should not be
surprised at the number of divorces we see in our world today.

The scriptures tell us that when we are united in love, we will
be blessed in many ways. Two of the major blessings we receive
are:
    1. We will know the mystery of God
         (and His offer of salvation to every individual).

    2. We will know Christ
         (and how He made our salvation possible).

ACTION:
How much love is evident in your life right now? If you are
married, do you find that you are you in a constant battle
or competition with your spouse? Do you and your spouse
have times when you are yelling at each other?

Do you or your spouse patronize (talk down to) each other?
Do you talk about errors in judgment or do you tend to
personalize them by calling each other names. Instead of
staying focused on the issues, do you call each other names
like “stupid”, “airhead”, “dumb”, “idiot”, etc.?

Do you want to see others be the best they can be, or does
it bother you when others are blessed financially, or in any
other way? Do you feel a need to brag about what you own,
what you have done, who you know, or anything else?

Do you enjoy encouraging others to improve? Would others
say that you have some of the characteristics of love listed
earlier? Would they say you have ANY of them? Could you
be identified by your capacity to love, or something else?

How do you think you are perceived by others? How do
you think you are known by God (Your Creator who has
been identified as Love)?
This verse emphasizes the importance of love in our lives.
    Whoever does not love does not
    know God, because God is love.
    (1 John 4:8)

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, I want to be more like Your Son,
Jesus. He has shown me and the entire world what
love looks like. Help me to allow love to be in control
of everything I say and do, because I know that if love
is in control, then the Holy Spirit is in control. Forgive
me for my self-centeredness and selfishness. Guide me
in allowing You to change me into a person who can be
easily identified as a person with the characteristics of
Jesus. I want to enjoy the blessings You have for those
who love You and intentionally strive to obey Your will.”

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