Love Never Fails
Think of all the things we participate in that fail. Revenge. Fails. Selfish ambition. Fails. Jealousy. Fails. Anger. Fails. Pride. Fails. Lust. Fails. Why do we keep running back to things that fail?
The way of love is the narrow path that leads to peace. And isn’t it wonderful when we catch glimpses of God transforming our hearts and finding ourselves on that narrow road! We find ourselves in situations where our natural inclinations would have been anger or pride, and God empowers us to peace and self-sacrifice. We would have normally been anxious, but God’s peace and confidence overwhelm us. We would have been egocentric, but God fills us with compassion.
One of the true standards of Christian maturity is evaluated by answering a simple question, “Do I love my God, my friends, my enemies, and myself?” Other questions follow, "Have I been a true neighbor to those around me?" "Are peoples' lives richer and more connected with God because of His love in me?"
Is there anything more freeing or satisfying than losing our selfishness and loving others? We are free to love even the worst of sinners with the love of Christ. We are liberated by love to love!
When Christ picks up the towel to wash His disciples feet, He isn’t selfishly drawing attention to Himself. He is loving His friends with this simple act of kindness. No power-trip nor manipulation. Simply love. The story of washing the disciples' feet begins in love: "Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love." (NIV John 13:1)
Paul said it this way, “I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (NIV Ephesians 3:18, 19)
The way of love is the narrow path that leads to peace. And isn’t it wonderful when we catch glimpses of God transforming our hearts and finding ourselves on that narrow road! We find ourselves in situations where our natural inclinations would have been anger or pride, and God empowers us to peace and self-sacrifice. We would have normally been anxious, but God’s peace and confidence overwhelm us. We would have been egocentric, but God fills us with compassion.
One of the true standards of Christian maturity is evaluated by answering a simple question, “Do I love my God, my friends, my enemies, and myself?” Other questions follow, "Have I been a true neighbor to those around me?" "Are peoples' lives richer and more connected with God because of His love in me?"
Is there anything more freeing or satisfying than losing our selfishness and loving others? We are free to love even the worst of sinners with the love of Christ. We are liberated by love to love!
When Christ picks up the towel to wash His disciples feet, He isn’t selfishly drawing attention to Himself. He is loving His friends with this simple act of kindness. No power-trip nor manipulation. Simply love. The story of washing the disciples' feet begins in love: "Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love." (NIV John 13:1)
Paul said it this way, “I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (NIV Ephesians 3:18, 19)
Written by Arlan @ 9:20 PM
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