What we need in our lives and in our church, and also in our families is more love towards each other. 1 John 4:16 says, “God is love.” True love comes from God; the love that is in the world is selfish love and it is not endurable. Our salvation is based on the love of God, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
In 1 Corinthians 13:1–3, Paul writes, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And 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, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.”
Here we learn that all talents we have, and all the sacrifices that we do without love profiteth us nothing. He repeats this again, “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.” Galatians 5:6
Faith without love is a dead faith and it does not profit us at all. Jesus said that in the last days there will not be much love, “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” Matthew 14:12
Satan is the enemy of love and the results of his work are wars, fighting, separations and divorces. Churches are divided because of the lack of love. Already in the early days of the Christian church, the love was lost. To the church of Ephesus was said, “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast lost thy first love.” Revelation 2:4
If the church has not much love, how could we find it in the world, which is under the rulership of Satan. Love is a great power. When law, authority, rebuke, punishment and argument do not help, then love will gain the victory. The human heart is one of the hardest things on the earth. “Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law.” Zechariah 7:12
The Lord is not using any force on us except the power of love. “The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.” Romans 2:4
The story of the prodigal son shows how God is dealing with us. When the younger son wanted to leave the father’s house, the father did not refuse it or make a great argument against it. The father gave him his part of the inheritance, and the son was happy with the money he received, and also the freedom. Now he could do anything he wanted. In the father’s house there were so many rules to obey, “Don’t do that; do this.”
But his freedom and joy lasted only a short time. His money was spent, and he was hungry, and he made a decision, “I will go to my father.” He knew that his father was a loving father. While he was still a great way off, his father saw him and ran to meet him. His father did not rebuke him, nether reminded him of his wasting his goods in riotous living, but clothed him in a clean spotless garment of righteousness, and invited everybody to a feast to celebrate the return of his son. Every day his father had been watching the road to see a sign of his returning son.
There are millions of prodigal sons in the world, who need to be called to come to the Father’s house. Jesus died for them all. The best way to win them away from Satan’s army into God’s army is the divine love that Jesus expressed in giving His life for sinners. The truth must be presented, the argument given, but all in the framework of love.
There is a story of an old professor, walking on the road with a young student. On the way they passed a field where a farmer was working. They stopped for a moment to watch him. From his clothing he seemed a poor man. He had left his shoes on the side of the field, and the young student said, “let us play a trick on him and hide his shoes. We will get a good laugh when he comes looking for them.” But the old professor said, “No, let us do something different.” He took a gold coin from his pocket and placed it inside the shoe, and then they stood behind the bushes to watch. Because it was evening, the farmer came from the field, and took his coat and his shoes, to put them on. Then he noticed the money that was inside the shoe, and he became very glad, and knelt down with tears in his eyes to thank God that he could now buy food for his wife and children. The young student learned a lesson that he would never forget.
Solomon writes, “Love is strong as death.” Song of Solomon 8:6
Millions of faithful Christians rather chose a martyr’s death than to deny their obedience to their God whom they loved above all.
Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13.
Joseph loved his brethren, even though they treated him so badly. When he had a chance to revenge himself, he spoke kindly to his brethren. “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring it to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” Genesis 50:20
This kind of love will never fail. It is the gold tried in the fire. It is the secret of true joy and happiness. This love we learn only at the cross of Jesus—beholding His suffering for our sake, the cruel nails, the mocking of the people, all because of our sins, that we may live.
Think about when you get in heaven, and someone comes to you to thank you that you invited him there. He would have been lost, but you left your comfortable home and went seeking after him. The greatest love story is when someone goes out to seek the lost souls and brings them to Jesus. By saving others we save ourselves. AMEN
Timo Martin