As we enter the month of September, I want to remind you of the rich reservoir of God’s divine love that has been shed abroad in your heart by the Holy Ghost in Christ. Not only does He love us unconditionally, but His nature in us must lead us to love and honor others with that same love. Romans 5:5 declares, “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” The NEB declares, “Such hope is no mockery, because God’s love has flooded our inmost being through the Holy Spirit He has given us.” Venerable Bede once said, “He alone loves the Creator perfectly who manifests a pure love for his fellow man.” Robert Browning declared, “Take away love and the earth is a tomb.” It is when we realize this mighty force of love towards others that our lives impact and change circumstances around us for the better.
The Goal of this Christian Walk is Love
We cannot tell others that we love them and our actions say something else. 1 Timothy 1:5 declares, “The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” Francis of Sales once said, “We learn to love by actually loving.” Love is not a verbal message alone but is defined in our actions to others. The God-kind of love gives and sacrifices for others and thinks beyond oneself. More than just words, love displays itself through many thoughtful and kind acts. Thomas Aquinas once said, “Love is to will the Good of another.” The goal of this Christian life is to love the unlovable and show Christ to our fellowman.
Developing in Love Means Increasing in Love
People either choose to grow in love or they allow themselves to be governed by the flesh which stifles its capacity to manifest and overflow toward others. 1 Thessalonians 3:12 declares, “May the Lord make you love to increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.” The Knox’s Translation declares, “And as for you, may the Lord give you a rich love and even richer love for one another and for all men.” The Message Bible declares, “And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you.” When we develop in and display the love of God, it should splash over on others revealing Christ in us. George Appleton once said, “Increase my capacity for love and decrease my impulse to throw stones, actual or mental.” Love increases in our lives when we choose to exercise the fruit of love daily in our lives.
Love is Defined by the Scriptures
Determine today to walk in divine love. His love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 declares, “Charity suffers long, and i kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never fails.” The Message Bible declares, “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.” When we practice the God kind of love, we reveal Christ to the world. Love is the greatest force in the world. The best awaits us all in Christ.
Thank you for your love in Christ.
We believe in and appreciate you greatly.
