LOVE IS FROM GOD AND IT WILL NEVER FAIL
BIBLE PASSAGE:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and
hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray
for those who persecute you”
(Matthew 5:43-44)
MEDITATION:
Remember when you received your first driver’s license? It was
exciting to know that you could now legally drive a car, wasn’t
it? Not only could you drive, but you also had a new id card that
proved you were allowed to drive.
Your driver’s license included a picture (maybe not for some of us
because pictures weren’t included when we got our license), and some
information about you (height, birth date, etc.). When we surrender
our lives to the Lord, the information about us changes. If we owned
a Christian id card, the information about us would include,
“knows how to love others”.
When God saves us, He begins a transformation process that creates
a likeness of His Son, Jesus, in us. The more we become like Him, the
more our capacity to love increases. We are removed from the rut we
have been living in and given a new focus, a new attitude, new priorities,
and a new appreciation for God and His creations.
We are able to love not only those who love us, but also those who
may disappoint or cause problems for us. How could we make this
quantum leap to a new kind of love? It happens because when we
love God, we learn to love the people He created (not selectively,
but collectively). It doesn’t mean we are close to them, or that we
approve of their actions, but we can love them because they are
God’s creations.
In the book of James, we are told about the hypocrisy of loving
God, but failing to love His creations.
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father,
and with it we curse human beings, who have
been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same
mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers
and sisters, this should not be.
(James 3:9-10)
As our appreciation for our salvation from God increases, we
make a choice to no longer straddle the proverbial fence, but
to pull away from the grip of Satan, and to stand on the same
side of the fence with Jesus. As a result of God working in us,
we learn to love in a similar manner that He loves.
And when we do, our ‘id’ includes a new vital statistic:
“that you may be children of your Father in heaven…”
(Matthew 5:45a)
We become identified as “children of our Father in heaven”. It is
a moniker that we can proudly wear, because it is our guarantee
that heaven is our ultimate destination. Until then, we live with
Him in Spirit, but one day we will live with Him physically for
all eternity. Knowledge of that fact should fill our hearts and
souls with a new kind of love.
When H. G. Wells summed up the influence of Jesus in history,
he said,
“Is it any wonder that this Galilean
is too much for our small hearts?”
Although it is small, the heart of man is big enough for Christ
to live in it…if we will only make room for Him.
The love that Christ talked about can only be given to us by God. It is
one of the fruits of the Spirit we are given during our transformation
(sanctification) process. Our past is forgiven, and we will receive a new
ability to love others, that exceeds our natural desire to love.
ACTION:
Imagine the void in our lives if we never learn to love others in the
same manner that God loves us. Going through life with an asset
that was never used, would be a huge disappointment when we
reach the end of our earthy journey.
Don’t look back on your life as a Christian with regret, but make
a determined commitment today that you will allow the Lord to
love others through you. Love is a virtue that increases the more
it is used, so look for opportunities to use it often. Jesus showed
His love for others throughout His time on earth (and ultimately
from the cross); how are you showing your love?
Without a doubt, we know that we are given ample opportunities
to dislike and find fault in others. Is that what the Lord wants and
expects of us? Of course not! He gave us an example to follow for
loving ‘all’ others (including those who mistreat us). If we claim to
be followers of Jesus, can we love others less than He does?
Think about the past week and compare the times you said something
derogatory to, or about someone, with the number of times your words
carried a message of love. Our goal is not to be more loving than critical;
our challenge is to replace ‘all’ our criticisms with the love we have been
shown by Jesus Christ.
Pray,
“Heavenly Father, instill in me Your Spirit of love which
enables me to be called a child of Yours. Thank You for
Your Word which teaches me that love never fails. Help
me to become more loving and more like Your Son, Jesus
so I will appreciate all You have created!”
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