Love
The essence of our calling is summed up in a single word: Love. In a world that has romanticized and sexualized love, the church has a beautiful opportunity to show the love of God Himself. Yet, each local church must ask, “Have we confused being ‘nice’ or ‘neighborly’ for being truly loving? Do the people of our community see us as a loving people? Are we dependent upon the Spirit to live His loving fruit through us?”
What does Love in our lives look like? What if it looked like a Starbucks coffee shop?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7_dZTrjw9I
Did you see the love of Christ here?
Here are the scriptures I will be looking at for the next few blogs.
Matt. 22:34–40; Luke 6:27–36; John 13:34–35, 15:9–17; Rom. 5:5–8, 13:8–10; Gal. 5:6, 13–14, 22; Eph. 3:14–19
“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. As I have loved you, you should also love one another. By this all shall know that you are My disciples, if you have love toward one another.” (John 13:34-35 MKJV)
Jesus gives us a new commandment. This supersedes the “love your neighbor as yourself command”. I don’t think most people will lay down their life for a neighbor’s life. How many people grow cold towards pan handlers, with I’ll work for food signs and when you stop to give them food they ask for money instead?
How did Jesus love us? He gave His life for us. He left the glory of Heaven to come down to what must seem less glorious than Heaven to save sinners. Would you leave your humble abode and go to a third world country where you could be put to death?
Or how many people don’t apply last week’s scripture, Luke 6:27-36? “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who despitefully use you.” (Luke 6:27-28 MKJV)
Jesus commands us to love one another as He loved us….
How are you applying this to your daily life?
In Christ,
Greg