What’s Love Got To Do With It?
Valentine’s Day 2009 has come and gone and many are still looking for love in all the wrong places! What’s love got to do with it? EVERYTHING! Especially if you know whose example to follow. If we are following the world’s example, love will be based on materialistic things, instead of eternal things. Now I’m not saying that material things are bad. I love to give my wife flowers, gifts, treats, etc., but that’s not what defines my love for her. Throughout the Bible, God has repeatedly shown us what true love is all about.
God’s Love Can’t Be Matched. . . It’s Priceless! According to John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. . .” We can’t put a price on God’s love. Clothes for Adam and Eve, $5.00. Gas for the ark, $55.99. Jesus dying on the cross for our sins. . . priceless! In the Old Testament, the blood of animals where shed for atonement of sin. This was done on a yearly basis and was a temporary fix. God’s plan to redeem the world from their sin was manifested by the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. He died that we may have life and there is no sacrifice greater than this. Are you willing to sacrifice your best for God? In a world that says me, me, me, God’s love is about you, you, you. Is your love all about you?
God’s Love Is Not Contingent On Whether You’re Good or Bad! Romans 5:8 tells us, “But God commended His love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Oftentimes, we show love to those that show us love and it is very conditional. If they don’t do something for me, I’m not going to do anything for them! What makes God’s love even more awesome is that He knew that we were going to be sinners, liars, cheaters, cursers, fornicators, conceited, mean, but He still “sent not His Son to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” Do we only show love to those that desire it? Or do we give unconditional love?
God’s Love Shows Us How To Love Others! According to 1 John 4, 1) everyone that loves is born of God; 2) those that don’t love, don’t know God; 3) if God can love us, we ought to love one another; and 4) there is no fear in love. We ought to love just because God loved us! Love is what will allow us to come boldly before God during Judgment. If we can’t love, then we can’t be a part of Him. If you’re having trouble loving others, start by loving God. He’ll fix every broken heart. He’ll heal every scar. He’ll love you . . . and show you how to love!
God’s Love Never Fails! 1 Corinthians 13 tells us that love is the greatest of ALL gifts. Prophecies will fail. Tongues will cease. Knowledge will fade away. But love will last forever. God sees the heart, not the action. Give with love. Talk with love. Share with love. Behave with love. We can’t do anything without love, or our service will be in vain. Godly love suffers long. God’s love is kind. Godly love is not puffed up. God’s love does not think evil. Godly love is not easily provoked. Is love failing you? If so, then you’re seeking the wrong love.
Do you love with God’s love or the world’s love? Godly love is priceless. Godly love is unconditional. Godly love never fails. And on top of all that, God’s love is inseparable according Romans 8:35-39. Are you having trouble with love? Dr. Phil can’t help you. Money can’t help you. The horoscopes can’t help you. Let God be your guide.
Bro. Eugene C. McCown, Jr.
HTC Men’s Department