In many pentecostal churches today, we tend to see one of two things taking place. Either we see the love of God, or we see the power of God. It is rare that you see both happening together on an ongoing basis. Many churches that appear to be full of love rarely have a move of the Holy Ghost. Likewise, many churches that appear to have powerful manifestations of the Holy Ghost rarely experience a deep degree of the love of God. This has puzzled me for many years. Could it be that what appears to be the love of God is really just humanistic love? Could it be that what appears to be a move of the Holy Ghost is really just flesh or a counterfeit from hell? Scripture shows clearly that the love of God and the power of God flow together. This is the pattern shown to us in the book of Acts. HCWO is a church in which you will regularly see the love of God and the power of God working simultaneously, the way Jesus intended it when He sent the Holy Spirit to us.
Jesus desires that the body of Christ worldwide has both the love of God and the power of God. We are to have ALL of the love and ALL of the power, together. When this occurs, you will see many people being saved (our primary purpose). You will also see many people being healed, delivered, set free, etc. You will also see a significant attempt to meet the needs of the poor, the orphans, the widows, etc. You will also see biblical teaching that leads the saints forward from milk to meat, preparing them for the work of the ministry. It is a beautiful thing when the love and power of God come together upon this earth. The heart of God is satisfied. Humanity is touched by the hand of its Creator.
Whenever Jesus was moved with compassion, the sick were healed, the lepers were cleansed, the dead were raised to life, large crowds were fed, and multitudes received the words of life that were so desperately needed. See Matt 14:14, Matt 20:34, Mark 1:41-42, Mark 6:34, Luke 7:13-15, and many more references from the gospels.
There is a divine connection between the love of God and the manifestation of the power of God. 1 Cor 14:1 says, "Pursue love, and [eagerly] desire spiritual gifts." 1 Cor 13:1-8 says that we can speak in tongues, have faith to move mountains, and sacrificially help the poor, but if we do so without love we accomplish nothing. It goes on to explain the true nature of the love of God. This love suffers long and is kind, does not envy, does not draw attention to itself, is not puffed up, is not rude, seeks nothing for itself, is not offended or provoked to wrath, thinks no evil, does not rejoice over sin, lives in truth, is full of hope and endurance, and never fails. The love of God is completely unselfish and totally unconditional.
Now, consider this ... Ephesians 3:17-19 : "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." When we are rooted and established in the supernatural love of God, we have access to all of the supernatural fullness of God. The love of God and the power of God will flow together.
Let's continue to seek ALL of the love and ALL of the power, that we may impact ALL of the world around us, for the glory of God and the advancement of His Kingdom. Hallelujah !!! |
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