In John 15 Jesus tells us, no commands us, to love one another. This seems easier said than done. Jesus knows this and that is why He first told us that without Him this is impossible (see April 5th blog). But then He continues us to show us why this is so so very important. It’s because the world is going to do the opposite and hate us. He is preparing us.
“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were
of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the
world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you”
John 15:18-19
Such an encouraging Word for the start of your week right? But it actually is. Jesus is giving you the key, the solution! LOVE.
Love never fails. (1 Cor 13:8)
I’m not saying it’s easy, but it is simple.
Love wins.
I’ve had a couple of opportunities to test this theory. It seems that whenever I went after greater things with God rejection, retaliation, and dare I say hatred followed. I’d love to say that I was quick to respond in love but that wouldn’t be the truth. Those things stung. It hurt when people spoke against my character. I wanted to retaliate when they lied about me and to me. But as I’ve matured in age, and in my faith, I found the strength to stand on Truth and I’ve allowed the Lord to bring healing to past experiences and emotions that would trigger feelings of unworthiness and fear.
A go-to verse that I remind myself of when situations arise is 2 Timothy 1:87 “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” I declare “God has not given me a spirit of timidity, (or fearfulness). He has given me power – power to love – and the discipline to love. So I chose to love ________.”
It works! Love shifts things. It shifts my heart first so the enemy can’t make me feel unloved, unworthy, or whatever other lie he throws at me and then it shifts the other person and the situation.
What does love look like?
“Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant. It
does not act disgracefully, it does not seek its own benefit; it is not provoked, does not
keep an account of a wrong suffered, it does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; it keeps every confidence, it believes all things, hopes all things,
endures all things.” 1 Cor. 13:4-7
Whew, another tough looking list. But not only does Jesus say that with Him all things are possible and He is with us and will never leave us, we also have Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, who will help us as well. Thank God for that!
Let’s dig into 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 more in the next post. Until then practice love. Practice makes perfect!