Weekly Devotional 8-22-16
Our Conduct Of Love Within The Church
One’s spiritual rebirth results in several things. The least of which is godly love, godly love that motivates us to love our enemies as well as our Christian brothers. Paul defined this kind of love thusly; “1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 4Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.11When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 13And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love” 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (NKJV).
Paul contended, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that love is the motivating factor of all that follows. Love after all softens the heart like nothing else can do, and it gives motivation to all things that we as Christians should do. Love is not shallow. Peter understood this and wrote, “7But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.’ 9Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1st Peter 4:7-11).
John Walvoord, editor of The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty, commenting on 1st Peter 4:7-11 proffered, “’Love’ (agap?n… echontes) each other deeply. ‘Deeply’ (ekten?, “stretched” or “strained”) was used to describe the taut muscles of an athlete who strains to win a race (cf. ekten?s in 1:22). A Christian’s unselfish love and concern for others should be exercised to the point of sacrificially giving for others’ welfare. Love covers over (kalyptei, lit., ‘hides’) a multitude of sins. This kind of strenuously maintained love is not blind but sees and accepts the faults of others (cf. Prov. 10:12; 1 Cor. 13:4-7). Christian love may be displayed through extending free food and lodging, offering hospitality (philoxenoi, lit., ‘being friendly to strangers’) without grumbling to those who are traveling. During times of persecution, hospitality was especially welcomed by Christians who were forced to journey to new areas. End of Transcription.”
This kind of love is not natural for us, though as Christians it should be. The more we allow God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit to possess us, the more loving we will become. It is He after all that produces in us “22love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control”. Paul added; “24those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (see Galatians 5:22-25).
Lord, help us to love as we ought.
stevelampman@comcast.net stevelampman.com
Transforming Power; The Work of God on Behalf of Man