L2L

What importance do you put on your love for others?  In our society, where ‘what’s in it for me’ is very prevalent, it can be way too easy to get caught up in self.

John 13:34 (NASB)

 ^“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”

verse 35 goes on to say:

^“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Loving others — God says that it is proof to others of our devotion to Him.   Our treatment of others is not to be taken lightly.  No where does it say to love only nice people or those people who love you first.  In fact Jesus tells us in the Word  “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”  (Matthew 5:44) and  “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,” (Luke 6:27)

We are instructed over and over again to love!  What would it look like if everyone who claims to be a Christian would actually allow God to help them grow in their love and compassion for others?   Instead it is so easy to justify or ignore our own non-loving behavior.

I have always had a love for people.   Yet I am well aware that there is room for growth.  God takes us where we are and teaches us how to have  a deeper love and compassion for others.  We come to recognize that there is a bigger picture than just what we see.

This week I received this in the mail.  L2L  – Live to Love

(I posted the verse at the beginning of this blog.)

  Each Sunday our Impact class recites (KJV)  “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”    Beloved let us love one another.   1John4:7-8  If you have been around awhile you may recognize this as a song. 

By now the regulars have it memorized.  This Sunday we are going to add John 13:34-35.   Why?  Repetition is a great way to memorize.  Memorizing scripture helps us walk in victory.  (Psalm 119:11 ^“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” KJV)

I close with a portion of 1 Corinthians 13 from the Message Bible.  As you read this ask God to show you what area needs your attention today.  Then ask Him to help you.  He desires to use you to be His hand extended to those you come in contact with today.  What a great adventure.

“If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.

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.

Love never dies.

til next time

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