[Stone of Truth]:::A Life Of Love

No. 68 Friday, March 19, 2010
What does a life of love look like? How is that life lived? How does that life manifest itself?

    I Corinthians 13, dubbed the love chapter, begins by showing us some examples of actions that could be considered works of love. Rome individuals are able to speak well about love.
    They are able to move peoples' hearts by their sermons or speeches or dissertations on love. There are others who are able to Hay what will happen, they arc able to explain and understand the mysteries of ideas and ideals that others do not understand. There are other people who have faith; they believe so deeply that things happen because of their faith. There are others who actually exemplify the works of love; they feed the poor, they reach out to the fatherless and the widows, they do all within their powers do assist all who are in need. Yet this chapter tells us that all this mean nothing if it is not done out of real love.
    Love is able to suffer through unpleasant, difficult and burdensome times. While suffering, love is kind. Proverbs 10:12 puts it this way "Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins." Ephesians 4:32 says it this way, "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Love does not envy anyone or anything. Love does not brag about itself and it is not proud.
    In other words, no matter what is going on in
 our neighbour's life, which could paint them in a bad life with others, we cover our neighbours. We do not hang their dirty linen out for all to see and smell. We speak with our neighbours about the perceived issues and seek to get information or a resolution; we do not seek to stir up strife. Even when others are unkind to us and when life seems unbearable, God or the love in us causes us to be kind, even to the individuals who are causing us pain. We are able to forgive one another because we realize that this is what God in Christ, did for us. He made Himself of "no reputation" and came down to earth. In spite of how He was treated and what was said about Him, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. As a result of this, God has given Him a place and a name that has to be reverenced and feared. One day every knee; believers and non-believers; sinners and saints will have to bow (they won't have a
choice) and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God.
    Love does not behave itself rudely. Love is not selfish. Love is not easily provoked. Love does not think evilly of anyone or any situation. Love does not get happy when it hears unpleasant things; it seeks to find out the truth about a person or a situation. Love seeks to bear the burdens of its neighbours. Galatians 6:2 says "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." The law of Christ tells us that we have to love our neighbours as we love our­selves. See James 2:8
    A life of love is a focused, thoughtful life. Firstly, one follows, the teachings of Christ which says "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." When we begin to think, I am a saint of Christ. Then we begin to examine the life of Christ. As we examine His life, we see the examples He set while he walked the earth. The love He possessed caused him to think of others before Himself. He was not selfish. The only time He got angry was when His Father's will was thwarted. Otherwise, his love allowed Him to quickly forgive all those who sought to hurt Him.
    May we like Christ, in the midst of afflictions and adversity be able to all speak what is in the depth of our souls, "Father for­give them, for they know not what they do." What boundless Love!

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"And be ye kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32