The kingdom of God operates on the foundation of love. An amazing thing happens at the New Birth. God drops a deposit of who He is inside of us! Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Romans 5:5).
The Father’s goal for us is that we allow this love to grow inside of us until it consumes us. At first, there are seeds of selfishness deeply imbedded in our thinking and in our actions. But as we consciously yield to this love nature and allow it to rule us, little by little, selfish acts are replaced by deeds and words of love. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:35). This love is the main indicator that the world will see that shows them that we are different.
Without love dominating us, the flesh remains in control. And the flesh brings death. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death (1 John 3:14). No believer can be strong in God without developing this love nature. Love frees us from the control that the flesh has had on us. Yielding to love will slowly release you from the mental, emotional, and relational habits of the past that have marred your life.
Love will keep you from being dominated by feelings and emotions. You’ll be able to respond to others in love instead of react to them in the flesh. Love is an action and many times has no feels attached to it. Notice that Jesus said: But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you (Matthew 5:44).
The Father wants us to believe that the love way is the best way. It’s the way of total victory and fulfillment in life. Love never fails. Notice what John said: And we have known and believed the love that God has for us (1 John 4:16a). Love is better than strife, better than selfishness, better than getting even with the person that hurts you or does you wrong. Love is better than force. Learn to believe that the way of love supersedes every other way of living. Until you do, life will be a series of struggles and failures with few victories. Love synchs you with the power of the kingdom of God, and shields you from Satan’s attacks.
I’ll leave you with love’s attributes today. Let them sink deeply into your thought life so they can rule you today.
Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. Love doesn't strut, Doesn't have a swelled head, doesn't force itself on others, isn't always "me first," doesn't fly off the handle, doesn't keep score of the sins of others, doesn't revel when others grovel, takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, puts up with anything, trusts God always, always looks for the best, never looks back, but keeps going to the end (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – The Message Paraphrase).
0 comments:
Post a Comment