2021-10-08
Good Morning Dear Ones,
Agape, the love of God, is for us to model in both our horizontal relationships with other humans and our vertical one with God. We learn from the paradigm Christ modeled for us. While I have shared these wonderful words before, they are important enough for me to repeat. 1COR 13: 4-8. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.”
Let’s say someone has something or some trait that another person wants, and the second person doesn’t exhibit jealousy. Jealousy is an ugly habit. This means that if the first person has a godly trait, the second person doesn’t try to show it. An example would be a friend I have who is a peaceful, dignified person. Those are traits I would want to have and be known for. However, if someone has great wealth materially and makes a show of it, I choose not to emulate this person. Taking the time to be kind to another person is an action I would like to do. This means being generous with my blessings, being willing to help that person mature spiritually, and generally being a good influence on his life. Being impatient, losing my temper easily, or jumping to conclusions are things I don’t want to do. I know a lady who is very proud of herself and who makes others feel less important than herself. This kind of behavior is quite off-putting. These are things I don’t want to do. However, if I can help others come closer to God, I want to do that. Rudeness is interrupting others when they speak, using foul language, saying hurtful things, etc. These are habits I want to break, if I’m doing them. Being transparent in presenting arguments, in financial relationships with others, and having integrity/honesty are all things I want to do. I want to learn to think first and then speak. I will not use language that circumvents the truth and not say things to intentionally hurt the feelings of others or promote negative self-fulfilling prophecies. God tells us, “Love never fails.” Indeed, that is an important, over-arching truth. Real, honest love, the kind that God has for us, really never fails to bring people closer to Him.
PHIL 4: 7-9, highlights the purity and righteousness of God’s love. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me [Paul]; or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” The apostle Paul, understood the value of his God-given words in COL 3: 2, “Set your minds on the things above, not on earthly things.” Words can’t express how important to our wellbeing that peace with God and others in one’s life is. Children are raised in households where anger and grudge-holding are not the example set for them to follow. When a parent can express the importance of his own faithful obedience to God to a child, he is passing along the righteousness that God is teaching them all. We must practice what we preach. Our words and actions must be logical and expressed in a godly way. Teaching children the value of good decision-making and kindness to others is essential. Our loving God has not only let us know what pleases Him, but He has sacrificed the physical life of His Son, Jesus, so that we might be saved [JN 3: 16], justified in His sight [RO 4: 3], and eternally forgiven for the sins we inherited and commit [1 JN 1: 9]. Praise and thanks be to Him!
PRAYER: O Lord, we do ourselves a great favor when we learn to think in eternal, rather than only earthly, terms. To think eternally means to learn the Scriptures and of God’s amazing love for His human creation. Lord, You have entrusted us with caring for our environment and all the living things of earth. Because of the purity and eternal nature of Your love, we can deeply disappoint You with our sinful and wrongful thoughts and behavior. That is why we need to understand what you have taught us by Christ’s model that love really is. We need to deepen our vertical relationship with You and to exhibit Your love toward other humans. How sweet our lives can be if we are only willing to faithfully obey You! You have told us, in 1 COR 13: 12-13, “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part, then I shall know fully, as I am full known. And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” You describe love in this remarkable chapter better than any human can. We offer You our heartfelt praise and thanks for all You are and everything You do. In the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: Our continuing discussion of agape love will begin with its refusal to be self-seeking next week. I feel that everyone is impacted by the issues raised here. Those not getting love are damaged emotionally and otherwise. Those being loving and surrounded by others who love them live useful, productive lives. And the many who are in between these, struggle to complete themselves with love. Food for thought. Lord, we know we need You!
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn
JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2021. All Rights Reserved.
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