For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
The love of God ought to be at the centre of everything that we do. It is at the centre of every successful and impactful life. The love of God is the foundation of all the graces of God. It is the source of all the graces of God. All of God’s blessings function by love. The love of God is the foundation of true and impactful life and living. Our opening Scripture reveals to us the love of the Father God for us. It tells us that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Taking our reference from God’s love, we understand that love creates and demands action. Because God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Love is marked by an action of compassion – an act of grace directed at helping others. True love is more than pity or sympathy; it is compassion. However, compassion is beyond passion. Love is more than flame; it is directed, tender flame that burns to help others. Passion may burn for self, but compassion always burns for and towards others. The love of God is charitable; there is always a giving side to it. Giving is the litmus test of the love of God. Love always gives its best to others in order that they may be edified and transformed. Love does not do anything for self, nor for personal gain; it always does everything to bless, increase and edify others. The word ‘charity’ is most used in 1 Corinthians 13 to describe agape love – the God-kind of love because that is the closest expression of divine love.
God is a Giver; He gives and keeps giving. The love of God is giving love. We may give without love, but we cannot love without giving. Giving is an expression of the love of God. Whatever you give into or invest in the most, that’s the thing you love the most. Your treasure and your heart are inseparable, for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Show me who you give to the most, I will tell you who you love the most. Listen Beloved, if you are not a giver, you are not a lover. Lovers are givers! This love is charitable, giving love just as God so loved us and gave Jesus Christ to die for our sins. Love gave Jesus to us. Beloved, put love first. Be inspired by love. Let love drive you. Learn to measure your love for others by your giving to them, not by how much emotions you have or show to them.
MY SOLID FRONT (YOUR CONFESSION):
In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I put the love of God first in everything that I do. I am a giver; I give for love. The love of God has taken the centre stage in my life and affairs in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Further Meditation:
John 1:14, 16; 13:34.