EVIDENCE OF GENUINE GODLY LOVE IN THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER

SCRIPTURE:
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, 
bearing with one another in love. 
(Ephesians 4:2)

MEDITATION:
The word “love” can be found almost 700 times in the Bible.
Why would this word be found so often in scriptures?
God’s love is the reason He has given us a path to salvation.
When we receive His salvation, our lives are changed 
we now have a desire to follow Him and be more like Him.
Since God IS love, then love should be the distinguishing characteristic 
in the life of those who are true followers of Christ.

Love is the cornerstone for Christian living, 
which means that everything else originates from a heart of love.
Love makes it possible 
for us to tolerate the habits, faults, and personalities of others.
Love prevents us from being jealous or envious of others, 
and the things they have (possessions, talents, skills, etc.).
Love teaches us to develop humility, 
and prevents us from feeling superior to others.

Love gives us the capacity to be gentle.
The word ‘gentle’ does not mean weak, but rather a ‘controlled strength’. 
It is similar to a domesticated animal, which does not lose it strength 
when it is tamed, but instead, it is brought under control 
and can accomplish much. 
It is the same with a gentle Christian - we can accomplish much 
when we are brought under the control of the Holy Spirit.

Love helps us to pray for others, because we have a genuine concern 
for their welfare (happiness, health, prosperity, safety, salvation, 
and overall well-being). 
Love prevents our irritations with others to grow into a seething anger.
Love gives us the ability to look for the good in others, 
instead of zeroing in on their faults.
Love teaches us to be forgiving, 
because we remember that God has forgiven us.

Love warns us 
whenever we are tempted to participate in gossiping about others.
Love teaches us to encourage and lift the spirits of others.
Love stifles egotism and our motivation to please ourselves (sometimes at 
the expense of others); instead, we have a desire to consider the needs of 
others ahead of ourselves.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility 
value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests 
but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:3-4)

Love teaches us to have the patience to wait on God’s timing, 
instead of lagging behind, or trying to go ahead of Him.
Love gives us a desire to worship and praise God for being our Heavenly 
Father, and for all the blessings He has given us.
Love provides us with the capacity to be at peace with others.

When we have love, we have a greater appreciation of God’s blessings, 
and a greater desire to participate in His earthly ministry.
Love makes us aware of the spiritual gift the Lord has given us, and creates
in us a desire to courageously and diligently use our gift to serve Him. 
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 
(1 Corinthians 12:4)

We could list many more attributes of genuine Christian love, 
but this short list gives us a good idea of the importance of love 
as the foundation for Christian living.
There is a distinct difference between Godly love and a misguided love.
For instance, misdirected love can cause us to become frustrated 
and miss out on our purpose for living.
Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never 
satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless. (Ecclesiastes 5:10)

ACTION:
Have you allowed the love of God to permeate your entire being?
Have you noticed the changes in your own life 
because you have allowed love to become your cornerstone for living?
Have you exchanged your selfishness for a heart of love?
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 
and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up 
for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2)

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me of Your love and the love 
of Jesus when He went to the cross for me, so that I could receive Your 
salvation. Forgive me for not cultivating a love of this type in my own 
life. Help me to replace my selfishness, self-centeredness, arrogant pride, 
and egotism, with the type of love described in Your Word. Thank You in 
advance for how I will be blessed and how I will become a witness for You 
as I make love the cornerstone in my own life.”