Authentic Love
With Valentine's Day approaching, I found myself lost in deep thought. What does 'love' actually mean? If there is true love, then there must be untrue love. Is it an action or a word? Is it lending an ear? Could it be some kind of corrective criticism? Maybe giving money to a charity. Sticking up for someone. Is there a wrong way to love? Can we be confused or misinterpret what love is? Why is there only one day a year to express love to each other? What happened to the other 364 days?
I John 4:19, we love because He loved us first. There are many scriptures that show us how to love each other. In fact, that is the greatest commandment of all. God gave us a guide to show us the proper way to love. One person's idea may differ from another's, but God's idea of love is law. There are so many wonderful examples of God revealing His love, both through Scripture and through Jesus. There are so many examples that it became overwhelming to me. The word 'Love' appears 310 times in the King James Bible, 348 times in the New American Standard Bible, 551 in the New International Version, and 538 in the New Revised Standard Version.
If we loved the way we are commanded to, I would venture to say churches would be packed and the dilemmas and messes we are in today would be non-existent. The devil has taken so many people and turned them into his slaves. Vain, callous, unbelievers, self-centered, lovers of pleasure, adulterers, liars, and having a form of godliness, but denying its power. What power are they denying? The power of Love.
He says this in Proverbs 21:26, "The righteous gives and does not hold back." The giving of our abilities. Doing nothing is easy, but it is also very dangerous. In today's culture, time is one of the most important things we can give one another. We get so consumed with our own time, being so focused on ourselves, and militant about our schedules and to-do lists that we don't listen to each other anymore. God wants us to outreach not in-reach. We are not supposed to live life where we are the only ones in it. God asks of us to do things for others who have never done anything for us. When we give someone our time, it can be a powerful expression of love. A callous person is okay with seeing the needs of others and doing nothing to help. The most important thing may not be the most urgent thing. Our incomes and abilities may differ, but we all have the same amount of time. True generosity requires sacrifice. The spirit of giving can make a lasting impression.
Ephesians 4:32, "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God, for Christ's sake, has forgiven you." Forgive out of authentic love. Authentic love is genuine love. Authentic love requires us to value the other person in spite of what they have done to us. If you are the one who committed the offense, and hurt someone, take the initiative to seek reconciliation with the one you offended. Forgiveness is critical to your own healing and the healing of the one who offended you. We don't need to be perfect in order to have good relationships, but we must be willing to deal with our own sins realistically. God pardons our sins when we ask Him for forgiveness. Mankind is sinful by nature. In life, we have the potential o hurt each other and to be hurt. Always look for opportunities to recognize the value of another person. Forgiveness is a conscious choice. We are born for a unique role in life, capable of receiving and giving true love, valuable beyond measure, gifted. We forget that each of us has different emotions, ideas, desires, perceptions, and that each of us has the ability to make our own choices. God has authentic love for us.
God's Son, nailed to the cross, having been beaten, bloodied, betrayed, mocked, and laughed at, still cried out to His Father, "Forgive them, for they know not what they do!"
I challenge you to make a moral commitment today to give up the right to hurt someone for hurting you. Allow anger and hurt feelings to be a visitor, not a resident, in your soul. Learning how to respond properly is one of the basics of Christian life. Today will never come again. Don't let bitterness and strife consume you. Let your pain and anger go. In Ephesians 4, we are also commanded to be kind and compassionate to each other. Kindness is powerful. In fact, an act of kindness can change someone's life forever.
Just like mine!
The day I was saved, an ordinary act of kindness became an extraordinary act of kindness. I think a lot about the events that transpired that morning. It began with compassion and kindness. I was on my knees at the altar, wanting change in my life so badly, and then Jane approached. She knelt down next to me, and put her arms around me. At the time, I felt weak, vulnerable, and ashamed of myself. She said something that I will never forget. "Katie, you are worth it. You're loving, and so many people believe in you and love you." With this kind of compassion, I no longer felt alone, but understood. I was able to let go. I am now serving Christ after an extraordinary act of kindness set me free.
Proverbs 18:13, "If one gives an answer before he hears it, it is his folly and shame." Our tongues have the ability and power to be destructive. The tongue can bring health or disease, the tongue has the power of life and death. When we speak life, you and I can actually prevent someone from back-sliding. We can also prevent someone from giving up on themselves about the future, about the past, about the present, or anything else that concerns them. Becoming God's mouthpiece, we have the responsibility of watching our language. What a tremendous blessing it is to be used by God to cheer people up. We have all often stumbled, offended, and fallen. We have the choice to forget the past and press on. Being mindful of not polluting our speech, let no foul or toxic language, nor evil words nor unwholesome, or worthless talk come out of our mouths. It is so much easier when things are going our own way, but much more difficult when things are not. It is a daily challenge for some of us, but trust in the Lord. Remember, we represent God. Avoid destruction, disease, and death in our talk, because it is the spirit of the world, not the spirit of God. Rejoice in His love, be His voice, be the kind of man or woman that when your feet hit the floor, the devil says "Oh no! They're up!"
Luke 6:31, "Do to others as you would have them do to you." What is our relationship with others? What do we think about others? How do we treat people who we view as important versus unimportant? How do we treat people who are rich versus poor? In the New Testament, Jesus gave the greatest commandment; to love one another. To love people. One of the best ways to show love is by example. Let our lives be a sermon. Treat each other like Christ treated others. We can add something positive to someone's life just by being around. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, there is no excuse for our behavior anymore, because the Holy Spirit is full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and gentleness. God has equipped us for victory. Every time we exercise this we get stronger. Not walking in the flesh, but in the spirit of love, we have the love of God in us. A seed was planted.
This seed cannot grow unless we give it the ingredients to grow. The seed needs sunlight. We are to be a light in this dark world. When we accept the Holy Spirit, the seed has an ideal location for growing conditions. Now the seed needs water. Cleanse yourself by praying, asking for forgiveness, and seeking God. As the seed grows, it becomes stronger and stronger. Just like a tree reaching for the sun, we grow. The tree grows and grows, and as we feed our spirit, we grow closer and closer to God.
That is the nature of spiritual growth. To become more like Christ. Christ is love. Christ is kindness, compassion. Christ spoke kindly, and gave without selfishness. Christ forgave us. He loved. God does not expect us to be perfect, we cannot be. But God does expect us to act like Christ.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 " 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..."
Happy Valentine's Day!!!