Love is a lot of things, one being a strong emotion. Emotions can be good and not so good. It can take you to the top of the mountain and then pull you down as low as the valley. Love can be expressed in thought, song and actions. Oft times we use love as an excuse for the things we do. We write books about it, send letters conveying it, claim to understand it and even unfortunately, some have taken lives over it. Love is not a simple subject, though it is a very common word. We use it all the time without thinking about what we are saying. “I love chicken noodle soup!” I really do enjoy it, but I wonder if I love it. You might also hear me say “I love hot fudge Sundays” ...especially with whipped cream and peanuts, but hold the maraschino cherry, no need for extra calories - now that I really love! Uh..at least I call it 'love'. I ‘love’ to make snow angels, even at my age….those emotions however do not describe the complicated meaning of love.
After reading I Corinthians 13:1-8, you can make up your mind to do several things; you can accept the divine example of love or change each commandment in those verses so that you don’t have to make a choice about loving. For instance one short little statement can dissolve God’s depth of love.
Instead of “Love is Patient” you might add - “Love is patient…when I’m not too weary or fed up. When others deserve my patience!”
Or - “Love never fails”…another way to say it might be… “love never fails when I totally look away from the truth.” Etc.
Your mindset is going to determine your choice. But it doesn’t stop there. God, in his word commands us to love, even to love our enemies.
Matthew 5:44 “…Love your enemies, bless them that curse you and do good to them that hate you…” I don’t know about you, but that doesn’t come natural for me. It is a decision. In Matthew 22 (37-39) Jesus is being prompted by the Pharisees and they ask him what the greatest commandment was…his response: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” That was first, but he follows it up with a second… “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
…and just who is your neighbor? You are mine whenever we are in close proximity to one another. I am instructed as a commandment of God to love you, each of you - and you are instructed as a commandment to love me back. Whether we want to or not, it is not a suggestion. It is a commandment.
Here’s a hint: When you don’t feel love for me, remember that it is a choice. God loves me and wants you to love me. And, of course visa versa, He doesn’t say to judge one another and wait until others reach our idea of perfection, he said simply to love one another. It’s a commandment and a choice.
If I choose not to obey the word of God, if I choose not to love as God has instructed, if I decide not to share the love of Christ by sharing myself then I also choose to grieve the Holy Spirit. It’s a choice. Do you struggle with loving? Don’t beat yourself up about that if it doesn’t come easy for you. However, don’t give up either. It is important that we learn to love as God would have us to.
Think on this: If you need medical advice, who do you go to? If you need groceries, what kind of a store will you shop at? As with health, groceries, automobiles, etc., you go to the correct source. To learn about love and how to love you must go to the right source too. I John 4:8 and 16 tells us that “God is love”, what better way to learn of love than from love itself.
FOR YOUR EYES ONLY
Read 1John 4:8 He that __________ _____ knoweth not God…describe in your words what kind of love Jesus is talking about in this text. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Read 1 John 4:16 …he that dwelleth in ________ dwelleth in God. Define here in your words what this verse tells you about the importance of love.______________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Word teaches us to walk the walk of Christ….since He showed the greatest love of all by giving his own life for us, and since He is also God (Trinity) then He is love. Does this mean we are to fashion our depth of love and express it as He does? If yes, then we must desire to be a loving person. One who MUST love the unlovable. The book of James says we have not because we ask not…so why not ask?
Take time to admit openly to the Lord any apprehension you may have about the issue of loving. Be in prayer now and ask Him to fill your head, heart and soul with the love of Christ. It will make you better in every aspect of your life. It is a step at becoming more like Him.
Walking in Peace / division of C.O.P.E. Women's Ministries Sue Puff, author
