In our minds love is a sentiment. It describes how we feel about something or somebody.
While that describes how we feel, it does not describe the meaning of love. God wants us to see love through His eyes, not through our eyes.
Among many other lessons to be found in God’s Word, we must learn the power of love.
What is love’s power?
First, love leads to action. Love is active and dynamic, not static. I Corinthians 13:4-7 describes love in terms of what it does. Paul uses fifteen verbs to describe love. Love acts and accomplishes. It brings change to our lives.
Living in God’s love leads us to change in our attitudes and behavior. Love that comes from God leads us to patience, kindness, consideration, and several other positive actions.
Second, love overcomes problems. The church at Corinth, Greece, had many wonderful attributes, but those attributes could not solve the hidden problem in the church. Only love could solve the problem. The church had spiritual gifts but not godly love. A church without love is a church in difficulty and despair.
Paul knew living in God’s love and applying it would bring unity and harmony in the church. He showed them their problems in the context of love. They were selfish and demanding, looking out for themselves and using their spiritual gifts for their own benefit.
They could not overcome their problems, but living God’s love would defeat their selfishness and rebellion.
Third, love shows us the nature of God. Paul used these verses to show “God’s own gracious, saving activity.” These verses are a beautiful picture of who God is. He is patient, kind, caring, not rude or self-seeking. When we follow God, we become like Him. Paul knew this to be the answer to their division and disagreements.
Finally, God’s love never loses faith or hope. It perseveres.
When we live in God’s way and according to His nature, we experience the power of love.
Thanks for reading. If you find this helpful, please feel free to share it with others. You can receive my daily life apps by subscribing to waylonbailey.com at the top of the page. It’s completely free.
One Response
As read the Gospel of John, I see Christ saying to His disciples, “A new commandment I give you, that you Love one another…” A new commandment! This is not “Love your neighbor as yourself.” This is not “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and might.” This is a “new commandment” set in the context of the vine and the branches. This is the paradigm for His Church.
This is how He intends for His Kingdom to come, His Will to be done, on Earth as It is in Heaven. This is the description of the lively stones making a new Temple.
This is the picture in Philippians 2 and many other places. This is the Lord of the Sabbath reigning in the Hearts of His Church. This is the AGAPE we talk about but seldom find more than a shadow of revelation. This is the source of revival. The source of Light that is to “shine before men” and glorify the Father through the Son. I find it best explained in Romans 12:5. As it is the knowledge from within added to the experiential knowledge of a Life of Faith, Faith in the action of AGAPE that fulfills itself in the Full Knowledge of God. The Knowledge that allowed Christ to say, “Greater things than these shall ye do.”
This is not an abstract for me and the Holy Spirit issues. This Love is only found in the Body/Bride of Christ meeting its obligation as described as a living sacrifice, in Romans 12, Deuteronomy 30:6,14, etc.
Blessings