One of the most talked about topics today in the world ironically is love. And conversely one of the least talked about topics in the church is love. Why? The world has corrupted the notion of love thus luring otherwise ignorant souls into deception by the mirage it has coined to be love. In the church, most preachers are sceptical about talking about love as they think it would corrupt people and lead them astray. This creates certain the void that leads God’s people away into the widely open arms of the world that takes them on a downward spiral to hell.
So, by God’s grace in this series we will explore what love is, the types of love and how we can come to understand God’s love for us. Also, since we were not created for ourselves, we need to come to a point where we share this love to those around us.
To set the pace, we need to understand what love is and God’s word is perfect for that. Paul starts his admonition of love with the words “and yet I will show you a more excellent way”. He was trying to point out that there are other ways but the way of love is the only “more excellent way”.
The first three chapters show us that even the “goodest of lives” devoid of life is empty. As Christians we tend to place a lot of importance of spiritual exploits which is good. But the essence of life is not spiritual exploits. That looks wrong but it is true. The life we have in Christ today is only possible because of Abba’s love for us.
Jesus made so much impact on the world not necessarily because of His signs and wonders but because of love. The impression Christ’s life made is still felt today because of love. So, the greatest of lives and acts without love is no love at all. The essence of life on earth is to love God and love mankind. Your spiritual exploits should be birthed as a result of love.
Paul goes on to say…”Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not, it does not dishonour others, 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 hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails”. And in another part of that same chapter Paul says…”and now these three remain: faith hope and love. But the greatest of this is love”
We might look at this and be like ’abeg jare all this one na for apostle Paul, human being no fit love like this’. You are right as a human this kind of love is too complex for you to show or live about. But the same Apostle Paul said in Gal 2:20-21, “I have been crucified with Christ so I no longer live. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the son of God who LOVED me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing”.
Jesus himself said in Luke 18:27… “what is impossible with man is possible with God”. These scripture just let us know that yes as humans we can’t love this way. But as Holy Ghost having Christians, we can live this life. Because ultimately our lives are supposed to be expressions of God’s grace.
There is no ‘simpler’ definition of love by God’s standard. This is it and this it, no more, no less! And this standard applies to all types of love whether it is between a man and a woman, a family or between God and man. This standard does not drop according to age, temperament of whatever.
The words of Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians stands to challenge you and I today to stop giving excuses and let God live out his love in us and through us. Don’t just read this, take a few moments and ponder on it. Stay blessed!
PRAYERS
1. Lord thank you for word and for your love. Open my eyes to see, know, and understand your love for me daily, in Jesus’ name, amen.
2. Father today I ask that you live out your love through now and always, in Jesus’ name, amen.
NOTE
God didn’t put you on earth to speak in tongues. He put you on earth to love Him (by seeking His kingdom first) and love mankind (by administering His kingdom on earth as a kingdom ambassador). Every other purpose in life stems from this basic one
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