You may know some Christians who are considered great people of faith, but how is their love walk? According to Galatians 5:6—“…faith which worketh by love. (KJV) If a person’s love walk is lacking it could possibly be the reason the breakthroughs have not manifested. When we attempt to exercise our faith without the love factor, it is really faith or just “mental ascent”? True biblical faith is always affective because it is rooted and grounded in love. During these first few weeks of 2012 let’s determine to increase our love walk.
But how do we grow in love? One way to let love rule and increase your lovewalk is by asking the Lord for more compassion for other people. Be brutally honest with yourself and God! Is love lacking in your relationships, your viewpoint of people in general, or even the perception of yourself? When we submit to God’s heart and view about issues, we think differently and respond differently.
1 Thess 3:12 – “And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you.” (KJV). Wouldn’t you like to be loved more and give more love this year? The more of God’s love we receive, the more we have to give. By turning to God’s Word and and having a willingness to learn, you will be able to increase your love walk. Ask the Father to teach you how to walk in His love and experience victory in all areas.
Well, what does God say about love? There are several types of love that are talked about in the Bible, but the only one we are referring to today is the agape (God-kind of love). There are many scriptures referring to love and some are:
**1 John 4:7–Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. (KJV)
**1 John 4:12…”If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. KJV
I Corinthian 13 is the love chapter and describes the characteristics of the God’s love:
1 Cor 13:1-14: “IF I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such as is inspired by God’s love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
2–And if I have prophetic powers (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God’s love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody).
3–Even if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I surrender my body to be burned or in order that I may glory, but have not love (God’s love in me), I gain nothing.
4–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.
5–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].
6–It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.
7–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].
8–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].
9–For our knowledge is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect), and our prophecy (our teaching) is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect).
10–But when the complete and perfect (total) comes, the incomplete and imperfect will vanish away (become antiquated, void, and superseded).
11–When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; now that I have become a man, I am done with childish ways and have put them aside.
12–For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood [by God].
13–And so faith, hope, love abide [faith — conviction and belief respecting man’s relation to God and divine things; hope — joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation; love — true affection for God and man, growing out of God’s love for and in us], these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (Amplified)
Then in Matthew 19:18-19 we are instructed to “love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” (NIV) Please note that in God’s Kingdom we are to have a proper love and respect for God’s creation (yourself) because you are made in His image.
God so loved the world…(John 3:16) – Yes, He loved that world even in their sin and iniquity so much that HE GAVE…” The God-kind of love has to give. Giving of your finances is only PART of the giving principle. Our Heavenly Father loved so intensely that he had to give His very best, His only Son. As the Lord’s love flows through us and out to others we, likewise, will be giving our best. And yes, sometimes, it will be sacrificially.
There have been times in my life that money came from an unexpected source. Usually when this happened, I had already been asking and believing God for a certain amount of money for a targeted need. Sometimes, however, the Lord would ask me to give the money to someone else or seed a larger offering. I’ve learned when this occurs to expect God’s goodness because He has something very special in mind for both the person I’m giving it to, as well as for myself. Let’s face it, everything we have is a gift from God and when He wants it given to someone else, then it is for a good cause. Besides keeping me obedient to the Lord’s direction, I know God will take care of my own need in some way. Phil 4:19—“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” He has NEVER failed and never will!! How do I know that all of my needs will be met according to His riches in glory? Because I have tasted and seen repeatedly that the Lord is good and His mercy endures forever!!
Rom 12:21—“Be not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” KJV
Overcome evil with good – what better good is there other than God’s love?? What evil is in your life that needs overcoming? Love is the answer – not the world’s idea of love but the GOD-KIND OF LOVE. As you receive more of God’s amazing love for you, it truly imparts a sense of well being and strength. In turn, because of your love for God and your desire to please Him and not grieve the Holy Spirit, you are motivated to overcome evil temptations, thoughts, and deeds. When you realize that you are dearly loved by God (who is love) then you have peace, assurance and confidence from within.
As you draw closer to the Lord, you will experience a greater degree of His marvelous love. As you receive this love and allow it do a mighty work in your heart, then in turn, that love in you will give to others!!! People KNOW if you care, they can sense the love of God even though they may not specifically understand it. The rest of 2012 is ahead of you. Let this be your LOVE YEAR and determine to walk in the love of God in every situation. If you fall short, then repent, get right back up, and go on.
“God loves you, He really does!” (Quoting Pastor Jim Bakker)
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