GOT TO HAVE IT!

            Today is marked on the calendar as “Valentine’s Day”; a day when many are focusing on love and special relationships. Someone has said, “Love may not make the world go around, but it sure makes the trip worthwhile.” [original source unknown] What a sad life it would be to not be able to experience and express love. Even when all things may not be going well, knowing we are loved can empower us to keep moving on. God loved us enough to send His Son to provide us with eternal hope. (John 3:16) The love of God and that of our Lord was also demonstrated in Jesus’ willingness to give Himself on our behalf even while we were still sinners. (Romans 5:8) Oh, how thankful we should be that He did not wait for us to either deserve that love or get our act together before giving Himself for our sins. And because we are loved so much, we also are expected to love. (1 John 4:19-21)

            Paul noted love’s significance in our Christian walk when he stated. . .

            “(1) If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. (2) And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. (3) If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:1-3 ESV)

            Without love great abilities may merely be “noise”. Without love, even with seeming spiritual stature, one is “nothing.” Even sacrificial giving without love gains nothing. Is that not what Paul declared? That means love is not an optional attribute in our life!

            Paul went on to define the characteristics of this godly love that ought to be developing in our life as we mature more and more as Christians. When we consider the fact it is God Who got the ball rolling by first loving us (1 John 4:19), then I would say it is love that makes the world go round. It is He Who lovingly created this realm in which we live and continues to sustain our life today. May our life be responsive to His great love by exemplifying it in our interaction with others. After all, to love even the undeserving is a mark of being His children. (Matthew 5:44-45) May such selfless godly love be evident in our daily life.

            Have a great day ALLOWING GODLY LOVE TO REVOLVE AROUND OUR LIFE!

                        Carl