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"This is how we know
what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought
to lay down our lives for our brothers."
1 John 3: 16
Without Love
What if I had everything that this
world has to offer? All the power, wealth, status, etc...that I
could get. What would any of it mean without love? Where would I
be if I didn't know the love of family or friends? Would all the
world has to offer be worth anything without love?
What if I know the Lord and want to praise Him and serve Him but
did not have love? What if I had tremendous abilities and gifts
that I could use to preach and teach others of God and the truth
found in Him but didn't have love? "If I speak in the tongues
of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding
gong or clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can
fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that
can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all
I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have
not love, I gain nothing." (1st Corinthians 13: 1-3) No
matter what I possess, physically or spiritually, without love I
am nothing, I gain nothing.
Our God is a God of love. How can we tell if His love is found in
us? Just look for the signs. "Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does
not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects,
always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (1 Corinthians
13: 4-7) Are these signs of love, God's love, found in you?
Do you know the most amazing thing about God's love? "Love
never fails..." (1 Corinthians 13: 8) It never fails! God's
love is the most powerful force that has ever existed. It was love,
for us, that moved God to sacrifice His one and only Son for us.
"And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my Son, whom I love;
with him I am well pleased.' " (Matthew 3: 17) It was because
of love that God offered us His very best as an atonement for our
sins. This love should be found in us. In our lives on earth it
is love that heals, reconciles, and restores. "Above all,
love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins."
(1 Peter 4: 8) The source of that kind of love is God. Why would
anyone want to live without it?
Take a moment and encourage someone this week.
I pray that all is well with you. Please let me know if you have
any prayer concerns or praises. Have a great week and remember to
smile :), the Lord loves you!
In Christ,
Shan D. Hartsough
"Give thanks to the Lord,
for he is good. His love endures forever."
Psalm 136: 1
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