Text - 1 John 4:7
"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God."
The entire Bible, everything in it is about LOVE.
Love caused God to send His only son to die for us, so that we would have the hope of eternal life. I know you might have heard this an infinite number of times, but guess what? You will never stop hearing about it! God is Love, but what is this Love?
Michael Timmis, an AmericanChristian author puts it in a most beautiful way I could never have imagined. He says:
'‘The way I define love is by using the fruit of the Spirit, which starts with love. I believe that joy is love rejoicing, peace is love at rest, patience is love waiting, kindness is love interacting, goodness is love initiating, faithfulness is love keeping its word, gentleness is love empathising, and self-control is love resisting temptation"
I knew my head blew when I saw this. My friends, Love is a strong word that shouldn't be uttered easily, unless it's critically understood. This definition of love by the author Timmis, sums up who God is to us, and how we are to be to Him and to our fellow man.
1. Joy is; Love rejoicing
That is the joy the Bible speaks about, when a sinner comes home(Luke15: 4-6). Its love rejoicing, celebrating. How do you come to God and show your love to Him? How do you react when those around you are with joy, even when you aren't in the best mood?
2. Peace is; Love at rest.
This kind of experience (Peace), only happens when you trust the lover of your soul. That he is in charge, then you're at rest (John 16: 33). You trust Him totally to take control, over your now and tomorrow. Hallelujah!
3. Patience is; Love waiting.
How many times do we have to learn to be patient with someone or a situation? Well, Jesus Christ was love waiting personified. He knew that man wouldn't appreciate His show of love, but He died all the same for us. Even the countless times we've fallen, just as the Father of the Prodigal son he’s waiting for us to come back home(Luke 15:11-20). That's the love we have, and the love we should show to one another.
4. Kindness is; Love interacting
Jesus Christ loved the people, he would talk with some, feed them, heal them. For some, raise them from the dead, pray for them. All these involved meeting with others, communicating, engaging in love. And the people longed to be with him and see him (Mark 6:33). How do you behave with people in your neighbourhood, at work, at home? Love is not to be for yourself alone,extend it to others.
His word says that, we are His disciples, if we have love one to another (John13:35).
What else do we talk about and live for as children of God, if not the love of God.
It can never be enough to say, or to show, or to be grateful for, or to tell others about.
This exposé will be concluded next time. God bless you, and remember:
There's never enough of God's love, its endless.
Love You.