Article title: Love: The Greatest Gift
Username of writer: ArticleProf
Love: The Greatest Gift
If you could speak all the world’s languages but don’t love others, you are just a noisy gong.
If you understood God’s plan, had the gift of prophecy, had a faith that could move mountains, possessed all knowledge, but didn’t love others, all these are vanity. If you gave everything to the poor and sacrificed your body, but didn’t love others, then all these are nothing.
Love is kind and patient. Love is not boastful, jealous, rude, or proud. Love does not demand its way. It keeps no track record of being wronged, nor is it irritable. Love rejoices whenever truth prevails, but not when injustices are practiced. Love is always hopeful, never loses faith, never gives up, and endures through each circumstance that comes its way. Three things will live forever- love, hope, and faith.
John 15:12-13 tells us to love each other just like Christ has loved us. Greater love is about laying down your life for a friend. John 3:16, God loved so much that He sent His only son to die for our sins. He wants us to have that kind of love for the rest of humankind. If everyone practiced such love, the world would be a better place to live. Loving like Jesus is the perfect way to live. When you love like Christ, you can step outside yourself and see your needy friend. Love enables you to rise above human imperfections and enter into transcendent love.
Ephesians 5:2 speaks about imitating God in everything we do because we are His children. It tells us to live a life that is filled with love and follow the example of Christ. Jesus loved us so much that He offered Himself as a sacrifice, a pleasing aroma to God. When it comes to love, the son of God raised the bar astronomically. Jesus teaches us to love our enemies. To us humans, it sounds entirely outrageous, but that’s what it should be.
If you want to love like Christ, you must open your heart and thoughts. It would be best if you fully utilized your feelings, emotions, and reasoning. Opening your heart enables love to change your mind. When Christ touches your heart, your mind will undoubtedly follow this suit and be completely transformed. Romans 12: 1, Paul tells us that we will be changed from the inside out. This is what happens when you bring your heart into this conversation.
John 15: 16-17 Jesus tells His disciples that they did not choose Him; instead, He chose them and appointed them so they could go out and bear fruits that will last. He went on and told them that whatever they ask in His name, God will give them. His command to them was to love each other.
We should show the love of Jesus to others by sharing what the gospel teaches. Love does not sanction the unbiblical or ungodly actions and choices, but it cares so much about the sinners by showing them that there is always a better way. This is the path to redemption, forgiveness, and salvation. The exact approach we Christians found and took.
The story of the good Samaritan is a perfect demonstration of true love. Luke 10:30-37. The good Samaritan was moved in his heart by the need in front of his eyes. He pitied the stranger and did not just look away. Pitying the stranger was not enough, so the Samaritan took action. He was aware of the dangers of helping the robbed man, but he chose to help him anyway. He wasn’t hindered by the idea that he was different from the needy man. He had the heart to bring a difference to him. Verse 34-35 of this parable tells us that he did not just patch his wounds; he went an extra mile, put him on the donkey, and took him to an inn. He was willing to pay the price of the expenses.
This is precisely what Christ did. The need for others moved him. Mathew 9:36, When Jesus saw how the crowd was harassed and how helpless they were like a sheep with no shepherd, He had compassion on them. Jesus was often asked about the greatest commandment. The Jewish leaders believed in salvation by law-keeping. In Matthew 22:37, Jesus answers the question about the greatest commandment. It was simple, love God by glorifying Him and by loving others. During these difficult times when inflation has broken records, let us show steadfast love to our neighbors by sharing whatever little we have and by caring for each other.
Originally posted 2022-09-04 11:39:07.
