| This Thing Called Love - II |
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This is part II of a study of Gods' Word concerning the source; importance; meaning; and application of Gods' Love.
In part I, Gods' Word expressed that it is "His" love that must be in us and outward from us. And we also were reminded how distorted our own idea of love is. Here, I think we should stress this issue of love truly being of, and from God.
To really love God and love our neighbor the way Jesus said to, it has to be "His" love that we are operating in and not our idea of love. And so, in order to Love with Gods' Love,... His love must replace our current idea of love.
Much of this is done through the work of the Holy Spirit, but we have to "set or minds" to listen to and be subjected (surrendered) to Him. We have to exchange our old way of thinking and focus on the truth about: God, other people, and ourselves. We have to come into a totally new understanding of things. Let's read verse 1 of I Corinthians 13.
1. IF I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such as is inspired by God's love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
Notice how the Amplified Bible renders the word love as, "that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such as is inspired by God's love for and in us". The King James version renders it as (charity), but the original Greek word used here was "Agape". This word was always used when referring to the way God loves. The only way you and I can love this way is to view the world and each other from Gods' view or reasoning. God is a spirit and for us to reason as He does, we must be in (The Spirit).
John 4, 23. A time will come, however, indeed it is already here, when the true (genuine) worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth (reality); for the Father is seeking just such people as these as His worshipers. 24. God is a Spirit (a spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (reality).
Agape love is a reasoning of all things from Gods view. He sees only the truth. Our reasoning must come from his truth also and He has given it to us in His Word and in His Spirit. Back to I Cor 13:1, Notice that it is intentional.
That means that I have deliberately "set" my mind, or "decided" to think with a new perspective... In this case, Gods perspective. I have determined to think of God for who He really is and to look at everyone else the way He sees them. This intentional reasoning is "spiritual devotion". This is a life of looking at the "truth" about everything and everyone. This "truth" is only that which is found in the bible.
So, by deciding to believe in the truth that God Loved me before I was in my mothers womb and that He went to the cross for me and that He has a plan for me... I don't need to be concerned with my own needs. I can be selfless and patient with confidence that God will provide for me.
That is love. By deciding to believe God that we have all sinned and all of us deserve to die and that all of us were created equally, I can look at my neighbor differently than I used to.
By looking at everyone through Gods eyes, I can reach out to everyone God puts in my path with compassion and kindness. I can look at the best in every one and inspire them. That is Love. In part I of this study we covered the main point of verses 1-3 and that was that to do anything without love is in vain.
So, let's move on to verses 4-8 and try to further understand the elements (or fruits) of love. In this section I think it is important to look at each element of love (such as: love is patient) and find examples of each from the life of Jesus... "Our Example".
Now, after some time of working with the Holy Spirit and letting Gods' Word change us, we begin operating in a Spirit Of Love. Your view of more things from Gods' view, even our view of death will change.
This new view of death is vital to real love. We will look into our perception of death, later, in our study. For now, consider this, If you are not willing to die for someone, how much do you really love them. More importantly, Are you willing to surrender your life to Christ? Have you "died to sin"?
I love you. |
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