Love- The word brings up many different ideas to people, from sensual to feelings, but the love considering here is that of self denying- others preferring, sacrificial unconditional love, “…FOR JESUS SAKE.”-{2 Cor 4:5}. The motivation “FOR Jesus sake” is imperative as it will keep you from bitterness, self seeking, if you are doing it for HIM! Not everyone will appreciate it or respond in affection or love back, Paul encountered this when he wrote,”I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you, even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me. “-{ 2 Cor 12:5 NLT}. Their lack of appreciation did not deter him from continuing to love them, ungrateful as they were and unloving as they were. he chose to love them more. How easy it is to withdraw, pull back and justify ourselves… but that reveals our motivation is not for the Savior but ultimately for Self! “…For JESUS Sake.” is something to keep before you and me. Here are Some truths to remind ourselves of how important LOVE is…
MOTIVATED BY LOVE-
“Let ALL you Do Be Done In Love”-{1 Cor 16:14}-
TESTIFYING THROUGH LOVE
“By This ALL men will know you are My disciples by your Love for one another -{John 13:34}
THE ABSENCE OF LOVE -CHARACTERISTIC OF THE LOST;
“If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”-{1 Cor 13:1 NLT}
LOVE IS NOT STAGNANT
“I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.”-{Phil 1:9}
LOVE IS PRACTICAL;
“If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth. “-{1 John 3;17-18}
FREE TO LOVE;
“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.”-{Gal 5:13}
LOVE’S BEHAVIOR;
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!”-{1 Cor 13:4-8 NLT} .
THE LOVE TEST;
How are we doing Loving others?
Place your name in where it says “Love” since love is what is the hallmark of the follower of Christ and is an evidence the life is in submission to the Holy Spirit who produces the fruit of love in a life, read 1 Cor 13:4-8 replacing the word “love” with your name” or ‘I”…and read out loud. Not for condemnation but self examination, and prayer in dependence upon Him to develop and display more and more Love…for others for His honor -{2 Cor 4:5}
A HIGHER PURSUIT;
“Let love be your highest goal!”-{1 Cor 14:1 NLT} ” Earnestly Pursue Love….”
While we give ourselves to lots of PURSUITS, whether it be education seeking masters, a job, learning a trade to become the best which all take time, concentration, discipline, we must above all pursue to be those who choose love and do love others…it’s more than a “bible study” but a life laid down to prefer others, seeking or demanding nothing in return, only their highest good for Jesus sake.
GROWTH IN LOVE;
A good prayer to pray for yourself and others is Phil 1:9-11. The people were already loving, for he does not tell them to start loving but he was praying their love would “abound more and more.” “Abound,” is a wonderful word.Near where I grew up in Ireland is the mighty river Shannon,and during the winter, looking out over the fields it is visible and as it rises it breaks the banks that had contained it and floods the fields all around. This si what it means to “abound” to rise above the boundaries, no longer contained, overflowing! This is Paul’s prayer for them, ‘This I pray for YOU that your love may abound still MORE and MORE…”
PREPARING TO PRACTICE LOVE;
- Memorize – 1 Cor 13:4-8 so the Holy Spirit can remind you the choices to make which Honor and display the NEW LIFE of Christ in you , in the relationships you encounter…
- Meditate – upon 1 Cor 13:4-8
- Live out – 1 Cor 13:4-8 “For God is at work IN You both to desire and empower you FOR His good pleasure”-{Phil 2:13 NLT}
Love is living a selfless life empowered by the Holy Spirit, for the benefit of others, making choices, One at a time, doing deeds of love “… FOR Jesus sake.”
Why Keep on loving when there may be times you don’t feel like it? “…FOR Jesus Sake!” He is worthy!
Whatever you do remember…
“Let ALL that YOU DO be DONE in LOVE.”- {1 Cor 16:14}