The Power of Love

I was watching the nightly news and a reporter was interviewing a woman whose parents had just been brutally murdered by a man who had come into their house to rob them. He escaped and was on the loose at the time the reporter was interviewing the lady. With tear filled eyes, she spoke into the camera to the man who had just killed her parents. Through her bitter tears, she said these amazing words, “I hope one day you will come to know Christ, and when you get to heaven, you can tell my Mother and Father that you are sorry.” I was stunned by her words. In the midst of her deepest grief she was displaying a Christ-like love for a man, whom she did not know, that had just murdered her parents. I was taken aback by her words. I realized that the love she was displaying was not of this world. She simply was showing the love of Christ in the power of the Spirit, in an extremely tragic moment. I began to question myself about how I showed the love of Christ to others. Was the love of Christ that was shed abroad in our hearts (Romans 5:5) on display in every area of my life, even in the most difficult circumstances? Sadly, I realized that I wasn’t mature enough in my faith to say that I displayed the same love as the lady in the interview.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not      rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. As I have read this powerful passage over and over, I have come to the conclusion that I am still falling short in loving others as Christ has called us to do clearly in His word. Normally, this passage is quoted at a wedding, as it should be, yet sadly it seems that it is not exercised in its fullness in believer’s lives. As I read this passage, God has given me a deep conviction that this this type of love needs to be more evident in my life. The Bible also says in 1 Peter 4:8 ‘And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”’ God’s word tells us (Romans 12:9) to “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good.” God has granted believers His in-dwelling   Holy Spirt, and subsequently the power to love as he loves. This power is best experienced by walking in humility and obedience with our God. Walking in the power of the Holy Spirt and not walking in the flesh. Romans 12:1 gives these instructions regarding humbly walking with God, “I beseech you therefore,    brethren, by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” As a living sacrifice we are called to share and exhibit the transforming love of Christ in every area of our lives. I think there would be much less church strife and struggles if every member conducted themselves, especially in hard moments, according to the life transforming love of Christ toward each other. John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” If we live out Christ’s transforming love, then according to this passage the world will see it and know we are followers/disciples of Christ. Let us love as our Savior loved, so that He will be glorified and the world will see Him in us and that they may desire this great love of God in their own lives. Let us love as our Savior loved, and watch as God transforms and strengthens our relationship with others in our lives. Let us love as our Savior loves and we will see His glory and power in our lives and upon the earth.

Serving the King Together,

Eric