love
Matthew 22:35-40 – Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, 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 great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Our lives are filled with many goals, dreams, and desires. We think about losing more weight, starting a new hobby, saving more money, getting a promotion, etc. However, how often do we think about loving the Lord more?
What does it mean to love the Lord thy God with ALL your heart, soul, and mind?
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 – Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
1 Corinthians 13 is affectionately known in some circles as the ‘Love Chapter.’ Many people have come to describe the characteristics of love through 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. However, I believe it is just as important that we do not miss the importance of having love in our lives when compared to other gifts, abilities, etc. in the world.
In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul spoke to the Corinthians about the spiritual gifts and the unity of each gift, as they are given by the same Spirit. In closing this section, he stated that he would yet show them a more excellent way (1 Corinthians 12:31).
Across many churches today, people are fascinated with power given specific spiritual gifts. Like Paul exclaimed in 1 Corinthians 12:31, they too covet these gifts. We keep such individuals in high regards and places of authority and honor. However…
Hebrews 12:6-13 – For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
Not too many people like to be punished. As children, we dreaded the punishment that would come after getting into trouble. Sometimes the wait was long and it added to our anxiety. We didn’t want to be punished and didn’t like it before or after, but there was a definite purpose behind it. Our parents punished us because they acknowledged what we did was wrong and they were not going to allow our behavior to continue – only to get worse. They loved us.
The Lord chastises everyone He loves. He chastises us to correct our sinful behavior. He displines us and places us in situations that will allow us to grow in righteousness. He loves you.
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