LOVE

Had a great talk with a dear sister in the Lord today and the talk turned to Love. We spoke of the love we have for each other in the body of believers. How this last year in my life has been one of growing in the love of God within the body. How easy it is to love the poor, indigent, homeless and those on the fringe of society, those who do not know our God. But put a group of "believers" together and see tempers flare, feelings hurt and flat out lack of love.

Why is that? At the beginning of this year, in January, i wrote about love and what the Lord was teaching me. i studied out 1 Corinthians 13, every verse and every word God says that love is. Here it is again, in part..

Following Jesus in a constant denying of self and learning to love as he loved. The greatest commandment, to love, in our human and fleshy existence, is not so easy a task. Yet we are commanded to love, so we can. As i continue to walk after Jesus and follow him i am led to these scriptures.

"Jesus said unto them, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. " Matthew 22:37-40

1 Corinthians 13

Love is patient, even when you feel like forcefully expressing yourself. Love bears pain or trials without complaint, shows forbearance when provoked or strained, and is steadfast despite opposition, difficulty or adversity.

Love is kind, even when you want to retaliate physically or tear down another with your words. Love is sympathetic, considerate, gentle and agreeable.

Love is not jealous, especially when you are aware that others are being noticed more than you. love does not participate in rivalry, is not hostile toward one believed to enjoy advantage, and is not suspicious. Love works for the welfare and good of the other.

Love does not brag, even when you want to tell the world about your accomplishments. Love does not flaunt itself boastfully and does not engage in self-glorification. Instead, love lifts up others.

Love is not arrogant, even when you think you are right and others are wrong. Love does not assert itself or become overbearing in dealing with others.

Love does not act unbecomingly, even when being boastful, rude, or overbearing will get you attention and allow you to get you own way. Love conforms to what is right, fitting, and appropriate to the situation in order to honor the Lord.

Love does not seek its own, even when you feel like grabbing it all or have an opportunity to do so. Love does not try to fulfill its own desires, does not ask for its own way, and does not try to acquire gain for itself. Love, as an act of the will, seeks to serve and not be served.

Love is not provoked, even when others attempt to provoke you or you are tempted to strike out at something or someone. Love is not aroused or incited to outbursts of anger. Love continues faithfully and gently to train others in righteousness, even when they fail.

Love does not take into account a wrong suffered, even when everyone seems to be against you or when people openly attack you. Love does not hold a grudge against someone. Love forgives, chooses not to bring up past wrongs in accusation or retaliation, does not return evil for evil, and does not indulge in self-pity. Love covers a multitude of sins.

Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, even when it seems like a misfortune was exactly what another person deserved. Love mourns over sin, its effects, and the pain which results from living in a fallen world. Love seeks to reconcile others with the Lord.

Love rejoices with the truth, even when it is easier and more profitable materially to lie. Love is joyful when the truth is known, even when it may lead to adverse circumstances, reviling, or persecution.

Love bears all things, even when disappointments seem overwhelming. Love is tolerant, endures with others who are difficult to understand or deal with, and has en eternal perspective in difficulties. Love remembers that God develops spiritual maturity through difficult circumstances.

Love believes all things, even when others actions are ambiguous and you feel like not trusting anyone. Love accepts trustfully, does not judge peoples motives, and believes others until facts prove otherwise. Even when facts prove that the other person is untrustworthy, love seeks to help restore the other to trustworthiness.

Love hopes all things, even when nothing appears to be going right. Love expects fulfillment of God's plan and anticipates the best for the other person. Love confidently entrusts others to the Lord to do His sovereign and perfect will in their lives.

Love endures all things, even when you think you just can't endure the people or circumstances in your life. Love remains steadfast under suffering or hardship without yielding and returns a blessing while undergoing trials.

Love never fails, even when you feel overwhelmed and the situation seems hopeless. Love will not crumble under pressure or difficulties. Love remains selflessly faithful even to the point of death.

Which brings us to this: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever i command you." John 15:13-14

So with that in mind, look at this next verse from 1 Peter 4. Above ALL things he says, have fervent love. Not lukewarm love or not weak love, but fervent love. And this fervent love covers the multitude of sins... 1 Peter 4 is written to believers, it is a must read.

FERVENT... strained or stretched, intently, strenuously, earnestly.

"And above all things have fervent love among yourselves: for love shall cover the multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8

God says through Peter that fervent love shall cover a multitude of sins. This means that when we genuinely love one another, we do not hold a record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13), or get upset with the little idiosyncrasies or habits of others. We love them and we love them some more. We know that if they love us, they have our best interest at heart would lay their life down for us. Truly. Even on a bad day. We need to get this and keep getting this as we are perfected in Christ Jesus and live to do the will of God. FERVENTLY LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Amen.