stuff love does

I read a quote from a pastor’s wife yesterday that struck me, and I’d like to share the concept with you today.  Essentially it was a question about how we love: do we love like God loves, or do we settle for something less?  That is a tough but very important question.

Once we have come to understand and experienced God’s love no other love will be able to compare.  It is that “agape” (the Greek word for God’s love) kind of love that is unconditional and not deserved and not able to be revoked for any reason.  God loves us with such strong love that nothing, natural or supernatural, can break that love.  Truth is that is the same love that we are to have for other people and for God.

1 Peter 4:8
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Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

From God’s point of view it is His love that forgives and covers our sin.  From our human point of view when we love others we overlook and forgive the faults and problems of others.

Psalm 13:5
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But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me.

Yes, God’s love is unfailing and is strong.  But love also rescues others as God rescues us.  How can we rescue others by loving them?  Unconditional acceptance is what a parent must have for a child as god has for us.  Maybe you know someone who does feel or know they are loved today. Rescue them.

Psalm 103:11
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For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.

Fearing God is not about being scared of Him.  It is about respect and worship.  To fear God is to allow Him to lead and guide our lives and for us to watch His greatness and abundance become a part of our lives.

Proverbs 10:12
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Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses.

I’ve been there.  When I am upset or angry, not much love comes out.  But when I love the offences take on new meaning and even seem to fall away.

Matthew 5:44
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But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!

This is touch.  Read the next verse.

Luke 6:35
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Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.

That is not natural. In fact the world says we should step on whoever we want as long as it gets us what we want.  God says love people, all people because we are acting like Him at that point.  Loving our enemies may be tough, but it is always right.

Romans 8:39
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No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Nothing.  Absolutely nothing can separate us from God’s love.  Take that to the bank.

Romans 12:9
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Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.

Pretend love is all over the place.  It is what we see on TV or read about in the latest books.  Why is it pretend?  It is pretend because it doesn’t last.  When we get what we want, we stop loving.  When we don’t feel like it, we stop loving.  But real love keeps on keeping on.  Real love speaks truth (see Ephesians 4:15).

May God help us see and experience the stuff loves does.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.