Love is...
For he loves us with unfailing love; the LORD's faithfulness endures forever. Praise the LORD! [Psalms 117:2]
One of the best feelings that I have ever felt was connected to knowing that someone loved me. When you undoubtedly know that you are loved, it makes you look at life from a clear perspective. It causes you to walk in an unshakable confidence and your happiness seems to be unending. On the other side of that is the disappointing reality that at any given moment, that love can be retracted for reasons known/unknown. When faced with this unnerving reality, sometimes life can somehow fall shy of the beauty once experienced. Sadly that retracted love becomes a broken reflection of God's love.
1 Corinthians 3:4-8,13 reads that Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
On different occasions, we take pieces of the passage and humanize or contort its meaning. We’ve tried to make it representative of our selfish and earthly desires; both as the giver and receiver. How do we get beyond ourselves and start walking in a 1 Corinthians 3:4-8 way of love? How do we live out two of the greatest commandments of God in, "loving Him with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" and "loving your neighbor as yourself"? Honestly, this love can only be obtained by inviting Christ into your life and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you in its truth.
There are so many broken versions of love that are deeply rooted in sin. We have a tendency to define love based on how it affects and benefits us (the flesh) and never consider how it affect others. Our feelings can be inaccurate gauges. If read improperly, they can be detrimental to us, and to others in varying situations or relationships.
"True love isn’t self-centered; true love is self-giving." - Billy Graham
In order to walk in a Godly love, we must open our hearts and minds to Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to transform us from within. That is when you will experience and operate in true love; the way God intended.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I come to You in the name of Jesus. You said in Your Word that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13) I believe Jesus died on the cross for my sins, that He was raised from the dead, and He's alive right now. Jesus, come into my heart. I repent of my sins and surrender myself totally and completely to You. By faith I now confess Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Now teach me how to love you with all of my heart, love others in a manner that align with your word, and put away my self-gratifying; sinful way of loving. Today I receive your love and you guidance. In Jesus name, Amen!
Now that you have prayed this prayer of Salvation and Love, Here is truth to meditate on:
Love Does Not Condemn: [John 3:17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Love is Steadfast and Unchanging: [Psalm 86:15] But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
Love Strengthens: [Romans 8:37] Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
Love Cast Out All Fears: [1 John 4:18] There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
Love is Relentless: [John 3:16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
