Every spiritual gift operates through love. As we understand our dependence of doing what we need to do with love, we must take in the fact that it is the Lord who is the source of love.
The world has all sorts of definitions and teachings regarding what love is, but the truth is we will never know love until we know the love that comes from God. We need discernment to identify the love of the Lord.
Paul wrote to the Galatians that love is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, together with patience, kindness, etc.; however, we see in his first letter to the Corinthians that love itself is patient, kind, and has at least 10 other characteristics. That being said, the other fruits of the Holy Spirit cannot be seen if love is not present first.
"But keep away from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faithfulness, love, and peace, in company with others who call on the Lord from a pure heart." -2 Timothy 2:22
"...Instead pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness." -1 Timothy 6:11
We need to pursue love by deciding to love. It's not a feeling, contrary to what the world thinks - love, as we said so many times, is a choice. It's a choice we need to make every day, every time we interact. We have to choose to love.
When we react, let us choose to react in love. When we speak, let us choose to speak in love.
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. (Ephesians 5:1, 2 NKJV)
We only have one life to live; let us live this life with love, as given to us first by God through Jesus Christ.
By accepting God's love by accepting His Son as our Lord and Savior, we are saved. But it doesn't stop there. It is this love that strengthens us and sustains us. It is this love that directs us to where or who needs it.
By love we stay away from criticizing, because love directs our hearts to see the best in people. (see Matthew 12:34)
By love we have peace that transcends what suspicions we have of other people, because love keeps no record of wrongs.
(see 1 Corinthians 13:5)
By love we are not manipulated, nor do we manipulate. Love directs us to go for the common good. (1 Corinthians 12:7)
Also, by love we flee condemnation, nor do we condemn. (Romans 8:1)
And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. -1 Corinthians 13:13
LOVE is a greater force than hope and faith. It has to be present before, during, and after.
Look at this world through the eyes of Jesus Christ. Work in love, and overcome.
God bless you.
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