Paul may be the first on record to give an answer. To him, it meant everything. Just check out 1 Corinthians 13. Love is more important than speaking in tongues or giving all that you have to the poor, or even having the faith to move mountains. As impressive as these may be (can you actually imagine that any of these would impress God?), if they are done without love, they are meaningless; just a bunch of noise makers. Of the three things that will remain, faith, hope and love, love tops the list.
It holds that top position because it is the very nature and character of God. John tells us, “God is love.” He is the source. When love flows through us, it comes from Him. It is not something we can produce through human effort or legalistic obedience. Love is the fruit of the Spirit. And it is the evidence that we have been born again and indwelt by the resurrected life of Christ. John put is this way, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God (1 John 4:7 ESV).
If you don’t know what love looks like, Paul paints a detailed picture. It is patient, kind, and never easily angered. Love does not keep records of wrongs, it does not delight in evil, and it always rejoices in truth. Love protects, trusts and hopes the best. Love perseveres. This is the love of God. This is how He loves you. This love never fails.
What’s love got to do with it? I hope in your life that His love means everything.
Very good again, the most that matters is faith expressing itself through love. And the only way it can ever come is when I depend on Jesus’ love for me, especially when I live with all guys in the home who like to push your flesh buttons.
I thank God for his love through Jesus. I read a little note that stated: No Jesus No peace Know Jesus Know Peace I think we can apply that to His love.
Knowing and depending on Jesus results in his love for ourselves and each other. Meditating on God’s love for us is so liberating. Thank-you for the wonderful reminder of how important God’s love is to us.
Too true, Sue. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself in love. This love is God’s love, flowing out of us, onto others. God’s love can’t do that, if it’s not there to begin with.
Therefore, first life; then change.
The other day i was asked to give the blessing at a luncheon for a club that I belong to.
I opened by acknowledging that we are blessed to live in a country where the intrinsic worth of every person is recognized. That we are blessed to live in a country that was founded on a belief in the supremacy of God.
I also prayed that our country, and our gathering, be an example to others in this world. I then closed by saying, “I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ”.
When I sat down at the table, a fellow member turned to me, and gently rebuked me for the way I ended my prayer: ” Don’t take this wrong, because I am Christian too”, she said, “but we have good members who are Jews.”
I said I realized that it is a pluralistic group, and that is why I said “I”, not “we”, pray this in the name of Jesus Christ.
It was the next day that I heard Bob talking on the radio about the passage “let your yes be your yes, and your no be your no” – not to be vague and elusive. It validated my position further. The name above all names is Jesus, and He is the source of life and love.
I have tended to say things such as “I believe it is God’s will” when talking about the interesting twists and turns in my life. I am now going to use the unequivocal name of Jesus more often as the guiding light in my life. He is the manifestation of God, and love, in the flesh.
Well said Myles, and I admire your courage.
The voice of riatnoaltiy! Good to hear from you.
I hear you, Myles. Very few people even raise an eyebrow when we mention God. Several folks start squirming when we mention Jesus.
What’s love got to do with it? It is one of the commands that Jesus, the High Priest of Christians commands us to do. John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” This is Jesus talking, if you are going to call yourself a believer in Christ then it’s required that you believe what Christ says.
These are the laws that God has put in our hearts, Heb.10:16, when He took your heart of stone and gave you a heart of flesh; 1John 3:23 “And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.” If you have been born again, these commands are in your heart.
This love comes through you from Jesus, if He lives in you. If He does not live in you, then you cannot produce the love that God commands. In other words, if we could love through our own strength, then Christ died for nothing.
What’s love got to do with it? It is evidence of your salvation.
These responses served me just as I needed them to be put so clearly & succinctly together as well tonight- TY all for being available to Jesus. I realize after reading your post Miles that in my experience here in the American military community in Germany & in the UK in general,the 2 places I am in these 3 years out of stateside, that people either love me for being a Voice for “it’s all about Jesus/standing up for Jesus”, or the opposite, but both ‘sides’ trust me.& we sure know that God is growing any seeds being planted & watered. Yes Sue- good description of it’s Jesus’ love for us/in us/flowing out of us that enables us to stand firm when surrounded by those standing firm in the flesh.Loved William your “If He does not live in you, then you cannot produce the love that God commands.”- Great clear, on point replies to a *great blog post. Thanks Bob/All