17. LOVE IS. 1Corenthians 13 v 4-7.

When The Lord first asked me to write on this theme today, I was not too impressed, I even doubted Him, because we have had so many good teachings on that subject recently. So either we have been hearing but not listening, or listening and not doing. Either way it was going to be difficult to find a new angle. However, God doesn’t often change His mind, and He did give me a few words which I hope will be helpful to all of us. Before I start in earnest I must explain that the word LOVE. in English, as you probably know is banded around everything from food to sex and shoes to scenery, we love it all. But in Latin there are at least four words for love, First, there is Storge which is Parental love that is parents towards children or children towards parents. Secondly, there is Phileo, which is brotherly, sibling or family love. Thirdly Eros, which is marital love, where two people give themselves entirely to each other. Then there is Agape love which is the life giving love that God has for us. It actually is a life giving love, remember when Christ said “There is no greater love than this, that a mm lay down His life for a friend.” It is when one is prepared to give up his own life for another, and of course that’s exactly what Jesus did for us to demonstrate His AGAPE love for us. The first three are to do with our emotional, Human life, although being deprived of any or all of the first three can have quite an adverse effect on our spiritual life they are mainly to do with our humanity. But the forth is to do primarily with our Spirits and God’s relationship with us and OUR need to have the same relationship with Him. Because we can’t see God (The object of our Love) normally, the only contact and understanding we can have with Him is through Prayer and the knowledge we gain through the Holy Spirit, Scripture and good teaching which develops our Faith and as we learn about Him. we can foster and allow this to grow into AGAPE love for God. This love is not emotional as the other three are, because it involves a decision of the mind and will. The other three are a spontaneous emotion. No mind or will required. However, Agape love, I believe is a special gift from God, which He gives to people who really want to know, love and get close to Him, This I believe can be achieved as our relationship with God grows. Some people like Mother Teresa, and her team who Love and are drawn to help people who are physically or mentally Handicapped, or in great poverty or addicts to alcohol or drugs seem to have this wonderful gift I think God is very close to such people.. How can we know and feel the love of God? And if we are responding to it correctly? John Ch14.v20-23. (NIV) says “On that day you will realise that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you, Whoever has my Commands and Keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him, and show myself to them”. Then after a question from one of His Apostles Jesus replied v23. “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and We will come to them and make our home with them.” That should be quite clear, if we obey God’s Commands and keep the teachings of Jesus we can be certain not only of God’s love for us but secure in the knowledge that we are doing all in our power to show our love for Him. While this may not always be easy, let me tell you, knowing you are in God’s will is the most rewarding blessing one can have. Understanding this along with regular prayer and self examination on whether or not we are keeping Christ’s teachings will keep us on track. Now, I believe we need to understand the full implication of the word “is” So here goes. The word “is” is a continuum verb, which means it has no beginning and no end, but is continually working. That is why God is spoken of as Love.”God Is Love” because He cannot and will not stop loving us, no matter what we may do,.think or say. That is also why He will answer our every prayer, albeit not always as we think He should. As a loving parent answers His child, so He answers us, giving us exactly what we need in any given situation; not necessarily what we want, but always what would be the very best for us at that particular time. When we say “Love is” we are using that continuum, which means everyday all the time, because if we are striving to be like Christ, that word “is” has to become part of our nature, we can’t have “off or bad hair days” Our love must not depend on the other person”s attitude towards us, but on what God”s attitude towards them is., which is love. “But,” we reply, “We are only human.” Yes we are, however, We who are Baptised in the Spirit are much more than “only human,”, we even refer to ourselves as Spirit Filled human beings. So what is different about us, How do we look, talk, listen, touch peoples lives differently from people who are not Spirit Filled Human Beings. We should stand out like the Sun on a rainy day, and why don’t we? I suggest because we are not seen to be loving enough. In the early church that was the characteristic which distinguished the Christians not only from the Jews, but from the Gentiles as well, Christians lived on a whole different plane, Their whole mental, physical emotional and spiritual attitude was completely different from what ours is today.. They embodied the entire teachings of Jesus, Not picking and choosing and doing what pleased or suited them and leaving the hard or dirty stuff for someone else to do, Christianity is very practical. Loving God and loving our neighbour has to be our Motto. When the Churches and people of God do that I believe then, and only then we will see the hand of God move in our country and this world. So what is love? Love is Patient and Kind, doesn’t boast nor is it Proud, it doesn’t dishonour others , it is not self seeking or easily angered, it doesn’t keep a record of wrongs, Love always tells the Truth it Protects Trusts, Hopes and Perseveres Are we ‘PATIENT’;-- What does it mean to be patient? It means to allow someone else to illustrate in whatever way they choose to get their point across, without any interruption or interference. This can be very difficult, especially if the person is handicapped or has difficulty expressing themselves, but with patients, tolerance and understanding this can be achieved. And thus the Spirit Filled life is working. Are we ‘KIND’ ;-- What is kindness? Kindness is an attitude of holding everyone else in higher esteem than yourself. There are so many examples of this in Scripture. “The First Shall be Last.” is one of them. When Jesus felt sorry for the five thousand, it was an act of Kindness to feed them, the miracle was incidental to the sympathy He felt for the people, and who did he ask to clean up the mess? Not the people who made it, there was a lesson to be learned by the Disciples here on how to be a servant. Again when Jesus put a towel around his waist and washed the Disciples feet, this was another example, If we don’t do this, we can have no place with Him. That’s what He told Peter. So kindness is a very important part of the Spirit Filled life, Kindness is one of the ways we can show our love and people will see we are different and maybe one day we will hear those words “See how those Christians Love one another.” “Love is not JEALOUS, BOASTFUL, PROUD or RUDE:-- As soon as those characteristics appear in a Christian”s life their credibility as somebody different disappears, you see, those who are observing us are not Christians, and are looking for and can always spot a fake a mile off, that’s why I am talking about LOVE IS a full time 24/7 job which must become our full life. This is not easy or even possible by ourselves, but “In Christ all things are possible.” It’s not just our credibility, but the credibility of Christ Himself and His Father that’s at stake here. So He will help you when you ask Him. We have been especially chosen, Why? Because in His great wisdom God knew we were capable of changing people’s hearts, minds and attitudes. Therefore we can’t afford to demand our own way, or get irritable, or keep a record of wrongs, or remain quiet while injustice and prejudice remain, we must stand up for the truth, hold to our Faith and Hope to the very end. We must always remember love never fails and to be a true Christian LOVE IS all the time everywhere,.everyday. Thank you so much for reading my thoughts of what Love is, may they help us all to remember to Love God and to love our neighbours as ourselves. He paid the ultimate price for us. He gave His only Son. Is He asking too much of us? May God Bless and help us to show what true LOVE IS.. Phaline.