I remember when I first became a Christian, I was so full of love for everyone, that I wanted everyone to know Jesus as well, and also I wanted to free everyone of his or her burden. I would spend hours on end praying for people.
At that time of my life, I had been shielded from the hurts of life. Had not known betrayal and hurt. I trusted too easily. Then betrayals and hurts set in, and I was shaken to the core. I became very defensive, and hardened up to protect my emotions. But in fighting hurt and pain this way, I diluted the love in my heart. Remember, God's love is already shed abroad in our hearts.
Romans 5: 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
I remember one friend of mine who had experienced a terrible childhood, and whom I had shown lots of love and care, once said to me - '' What happened to you? I didn't know what love was till you came along. I was an ugly character then, but you loved me all the same. And the more I was horrible to you, the more you loved me.''
She continued - ''It was the love you reflected that taught me to love. Please do not let hurt deform your love. Go back to it."
Upon reflection, I realise that these words from my good friend are worth my attention. The world reeks of hatred, being a part of it , and experiencing horrible things can deter you from loving. But this ought not to be, as fire cannot quench fire, and darkness cannot drive out darkness. The Gospel started in love, and will end in love. I suppose that is why love is the greatest - not prophesies or unraveling of mysteries.
1 Corinthians 13: 8 , 13
Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Love is what Jesus showed to us - for whilst we were yet sinners, Jesus loved us. And love is what Jesus said we ought to show to the world in order for them to recognise us as His own -
John 13: 34 -35
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Love is what made Stephen able to forgive even those that stoned him to death. Love is what made Joseph able to forgive his brothers. Love is what made the early church able to embrace Saul turned Paul, who had earlier on persecuted the Church.
I have been doing a lot of reflections, and I feel as though God is tugging at my heart to love without boundaries. This is the message to all who love Jesus.
The World has just celebrated St Valentine's Day which supposedly is a day of love. However, the world does not know love as it should be.
God is love, and love is God.
It is God in us that perfects love. Any other is a duplicate, and not original. In Ecclesiastes 3, we learn that a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. God's love for us makes Him hate sin, yet He still loves the sinner. We may dislike certain things, be grieved by certain actions (The Holy Spirit gets grieved). We may even be angered like Jesus was with the traders at the temple, but we must never stop loving, and loving even the unlovable.
As Christians we war with many things, but our battle is spiritual, and with weapons that are not carnal. Our identity is love, and even in battle we must still be clothed in love. For when all things pass away, only love would remain.
I challenge myself, and you to choose to love, it is the highest calling!
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