love

It’s Valentine’s Day and “love” is in the air.  I say “love” because the love we celebrate on Valentine’s Day refers to the romantic-mooshy-gooshy-feel-good kind of love.  We do things like eat chocolate and give each other floral arrangements.  Nothing wrong with that.  I enjoyed a whole box of my favorite coconut haystacks to celebrate this day of “love.” 

But today I want to talk about God’s love...a real, transforming, grace-filled, all powerful, unfailing kind of love.   

Question:  

Does Jesus really want us to love each other?

Answer:  

“The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."  Galatians 5:14

“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.”  Romans 13:8 

Question: 

So what does love look like? 

Answer:

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.”  1 John 3:16

“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.”  1 Corinthians 13:4-7

We can’t love others with this kind of love in our own strength.  This kind of love is a divine love from God but He has given us access to this great love through the gift and power of the Holy Spirit.   Through His Spirit we tap into this marvelous and heavenly love…something wonderful happens when we die to ourselves and allow Jesus to live in us...as a result we are equipped to love others with the supernatural love of Jesus.    

Darkness turns to light.

   

The helplessness in the eyes of a child transforms into a sparkle of hope.

Despair in the heart of a father is replaced with a spirit of joy.

The defenseless, weak, and powerless gain a sense of confidence they have never known before as they get a taste of this Jesus love.

There is no greater gift than the life changing love of Jesus.  There is nothing more valuable.  As the body of Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, we have been given this great gift...let's share it!  The oppressed and poverty stricken are waiting to get a taste.  They are waiting for us to respond and lavish them with Jesus love.  The least of these need to see the Church love them with a love that protects them and perseveres as their voice.  We are meant to be a testimony of love…real Jesus love…to the world. 

“Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:8

Jesus, help us love with Your love.  We recognize our love is weak apart from the filling of Your Spirit.  We ask for Your love to fill us that we may pour out to the broken, dying, hurting, and needy in this world.  We give You all glory as Your divine love flows through us to expand Your kingdom and purposes.  Jesus, help us be the Church.  Help us love.  In Your Name, Amen. 

^“If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.”  1 Corinthians 13:2