1 Corinthians 13:13 (KJV)
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity (love).
1 John 4:8 (KJV)
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
Love is the way for the Christian! Love is not a way, but the way. Love is not an option. If we are going to walk with God, who is love, we are going to have to walk in love. This seems to have been completely forgotten in the Body of Christ. Most Christians today are walking entirely in the flesh, which leads to destruction. They say what they want, when they want, and have no concern for God or others. We hear phrases daily such as, “you don’t know what they did to me,” or “you won’t believe what they said about me,” or “I have my rights,” or “they’ll need me before I need them,” or “they’ll get what’s coming to them.” These are all statements in the flesh and out of love. They will always lead to destruction.
Many are praying for a mighty move of God’s spirit while walking in the flesh. This is counterproductive and will not work. Walking in God’s spirit is walking in the fruit of the spirit, the first of which is love. We cannot and will not have a move of God in our lives or in our churches while filled with offense, strife, and division.
It is time that we move on with God! The Holy Spirit spoke to me recently about this and what is necessary to do so. He said, “Tell my people that if they have sinned, repent and move on. If someone has sinned against them, forgive them and move on.” Either way there is much to be accomplished and we must be found building the kingdom! We do not have time to live in yesterday!
What is love? While we will look at this more next time, I want to leave you with this definition. Finis Dake’s defines love as “a strong, ardent, tender, compassionate devotion to the wellbeing of somoene.” The love of God, God’s love, always seeks the best for the object of its affection, regardless of circumstances. This is where many Christians get hung up. God’s love doesn’t just love the lovable, but the unlovable. God’s love doesn’t just love those that love you, but even those that hate you(Matthew 5:43-48). When we get back to the love of God the Spirit of God will once again have freedom to move among his people!
Every Christian already has the love of God shed abroad in their hearts (Romans 5:5). All you have to do is renew your mind with God’s word and then start to walk in it. Results will be almost immediate and you will sense a freedom from the inside out like never before (1 John 4:18).
