THE WORLD IS LOOKING FOR A LITTLE LOVE
I Corinthians 13 And now I will show your the most excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender by body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does to envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, 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 perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully know. And now these three remain; faith, hope and love, But the greatest of these is love.
When I was a pastor this was one of the most asked for verses when I would do a wedding. We certainly think and hope that every marriage is one motivated by love for the bride and groom. Sometimes it is easily seen in the eyes and the smiles of them. As a rule they are a bit nervous, but they are making a big commitment. It involves not just two families, but it affects the community, friends, family and certainly any children. It also affect the church as well, because the church is family in a very special way. We are united in love for each other through the one we all love and that is Jesus. When one member is hurting we all hurt, and when one member is being blessed we are all blessed.
Recently my pastor Chuck E Tate had a book published by Tyndale House Publishing. It is called 41 Will Come. It is about how often God will bring the greatest victories after forty days of struggle. In his book he gives many examples of God’s intervention to bless his children and glorify himself. It was a wonderful thing to see how the entire church responded to the great success of the book. Because of it he has not only sold many copies, but it has opened many opportunities for him to minister on a worldwide Christian television network. He now has a radio ministry and has published articles in Christian magazines as well. The great love and respect for him has overflowed in praise and adoration for the Lord blessing him the way he has done. It is as if the entire church is being blessed by his blessing. Love is certainly a wonderful thing.
Love is the very first thing mentioned in Galatians 5:22,23 where the fruit of the Holy Spirit is mentioned. It is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. These are all characteristics of God. Genesis 1:26 says, “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness….” These are characteristics of the Heavenly Father, the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ. Every single person that has ever been born has has a measure of these. Even the very worst of people display them at least a little.
When we become a Christian the Holy Spirit comes into our heart and sets us free of our rebellious carnal nature, but even better he enhances the fruit of God’s Spirit. With each day he helps us to become more and more like Jesus. When we get to heaven I Corinthians 15:42-49 tells us that we will be perfect just like Jesus. We will have no need for the gifts of the Holy Spirit like preaching or prophecy. Everyone in heaven will already be right with God. Because the gifts are meant to help the church, all that is needed is to just be the church or Bride for Jesus. While all the fruit of God are important, maybe love is the most wonderful. It is God’s love that motivates all of his other characteristics to be shown to us. While we certainly don’t deserve anything that God has done or will do for us his love extended to us in Jesus just maybe the greatest act of love anyone could receive. John 3:3:16,17 says, “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” So, to become Christ-like we must become people of love.
John 13:35 tells us Jesus gave a commandment to his disciples and it was, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Christians should be seen as loving people. Sad to say sometimes the world sees us as just the opposite. I am sure that you have heard that Christians are the only people that shoot their wounded. Many times when a Christian falls into sin it seems that the church is the first to point fingers and the last of forgive. While we need to hold each other accountable to glorify Jesus, we need to love them so much that we will love them back into a right fellowship, the arms of Jesus and not try to shame them back.
The famous singing group called the Beatles sang a song called, “All You Need Is Love”. I think one of the reasons that it was such a great hit was that it rang with a great truth. People want to be love and to be able to love. It is in our nature! Remember we are created in the image of God and God is love.
Let’s take Jesus commandment to heart each day. Show a little love and a little kindness. It will reap great benefits. Remember the world isn’t looking for someone to preach to them and point out their sinfulness. They are looking for real Christ-like love.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, please help us to love other as you love us. We ask this in Jesus’ name.
