The Power Of Love In the Christian's Life

THE POWER OF LOVE

"And above all things have fervent love for one another, 'for love will cover a multitude of sins.'" - 1 Peter 4:8.

Christian living is synonymous with love. Every Christian must possess and exercise the power of love. It is most crucial in your Christian life because it determines both your earthly and eternal benefits. He who does not love does not and never did know God, for God is love.

The Implications of love and the great love command

To appreciate the enormous importance of love to the Christian and to living as a Christian, prayerfully and meditatively consider the following scriptures:

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." - John 3:16.

"Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others]" - 1 Peter 4:8 (AMP)

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."(emphasis mine) - John 13:34-35

God exercised the power of love when He gave Jesus, His only son (who knew no sin) for humanity. He freely gives us all things since He was able to give up His only son for us all. That means He will never withhold any good thing from us since He did not withhold sacrificing Jesus for us.

Jesus Himself also manifested the power of love by accepting to die the most shameful death on the cross for mankind. And He left a commandment that we should love even as He had shown us. Jesus would never ask us to do the impossible if it was so.

From the foregoing therefore, and as regards our Christian life, it becomes very obvious to conclude that the Lord Jesus expects us to walk in true love towards one another.

What really is love

To do and live a life of love, we must first understand what love means and then apply it. As one would expect, and thanks to God, He has in the Scriptures clearly defined exactly what love is. According to 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (AMP):

"Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.

Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. As for prophecy (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth]."

The above scripture passage clearly describes love and the power of love. It is also very easy for us to see from this same passage that love is not a "FEELING", as erroneously believed and practiced by the world, but rather it is a firm and definite "DECISION" giving rise to actions.

The power of love in the Christian's life

Your Christian living is summed up in one commandment: "love your neighbour as yourself." Love demands that you do good to your neighbour and never do anything to hurt him/her.

Yes, some people are "unlovable" but this is where love exercises its magnificent power. Love is not based on how you feel but on what is right. It is a DECISION coupled with ACTION. You decide to love and you take steps to carry it out no matter the circumstances surrounding the issue.

Love transforms and saves lives. A person at the verge of giving up can make a comeback when shown love. Love wipes off tears and puts smiles on faces. It gives people reason and strength to face tomorrow. Also, it snatches people from the jaws of the enemy. When you show love to people you show them Jesus.

The best way to preach Jesus is to show love. When people encounter love they are convicted of their sins and they want a change, leading to the salvation of their souls.

How can people know you are a disciple of Jesus if you do not exercise the power of love in your Christian life? Unconditional love is the symbol of Christianity. Christian living entails walking in love.

"By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." - 1 John 3:16

There is a call from God to humanity: to love one another, to cease from self gratifications and embrace selfless love. And to reach out to the hurting, insecure and confused and show them the right way forward. Love when shown to another has the power to set things right in the person's life.

In conclusion, we ought to love people with the love of God, no matter who they may be, even as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us all.

Daily Bible Verse for Meditation

"Hatred stirs up strife,
But love covers all sins." - Proverbs 10:12