We Must Love

I wanted to talk about love, and what it really means. It is an important topic as it is the basis for our Walk Of Faith. But I have notice over the past few years that there are many Christians who miss this, stating that the principles and tenets of faith do not require us to love.

There again was the confusion. It must be understood that a few things man calls love is not love at all.

Tolerance 

Tolerance is not love, though there has been an outcry by many of faith for tolerance. Christ never taught that, neither did His disciples or Paul. So mercy, giving, and other things actually fall under love and serving one another, just as Christ did. He did not tolerate sin, or anything that was not of God. A telling point.

Social Justice 

Social Justice is the new catch-phrase for many in the PC crowd, and ranks right up there with tolerance. It is basically a concept that everyone should have what everyone else has: materially, socially (hence the name), etc. However the Bible teaches that we will always have the poor with us. Why? Because having a good, productive, life comes from effort. No effort, no productivity, and hence no results that come from effort.

Equality

Many define equality as the value of a person is equal to any other. I agree. But like Social Justice, it is usually taken out of context and use. Take "Reparations For Slavery", this is equality run amok, as there isn't anyone alive today living in slavery, so why should we give money to a select racial group because their ancestry is from this act? An act that has nothing to do with anyone personally today.

But Is It Love?

And the list goes on, even as these things are being shouted from the rooftops that they are a form of love. in other words, if we truly love our fellow man, then these are the things we should be doing. Hardly.

Love comes in two flavors for those of faith: love God and love each other as "all the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:40 (NIV). So what did Jesus, or anyone else, have to go by besides the Law and the Prophets? Nothing. So then Christ was saying that loving God and each other was the fulness of God's commands to His people.

We are told:

"But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [[f]that can bring a charge]. And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires. If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit [g]we have our life in God, let us go forward [h]walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]" Galatians 5:22-25 (Amplified)

These character traits are developed in the power of love. They reflect a loving spirit, as if you did not have a loving spirit you could not walk successfully in the fruits. So as Valentine's Day has just passed I enjoin you to remain focused on love. It is the power and calling of our Walk Of Faith, and we must answer this calling on our lives if we choose to be of God.

Be blessed, be loved and be at peace. May the light of God's glory and presence fire the brilliance of your souls. You are greatly loved.