With what kind of Love are we to love one another?
Love is a funny word – we tell our dog and cat we love them and then turn to our wife and kids – we love them! Are they the same love? – Some of you may think it is the same or worst – you love your dog or cat more?! A friend of mine says – he hopes that he and the dog would never be sick at the same time – because he knows who will get looked after first and better?!!
So with what kind of love are we to love one another?
In this there are 4 clear challenges before us (I say challenges because as I look at them – I am deeply confronted and convicted – I still have a long way to go! Please pray for me.):
1. God kind of Love
Well since we are God’s children and that He is our Father – we should love like He does. Bible says – God is love – NOT that He has love – but He is love. So we the children of God must love like Him because we are also love – not just have love!
God’s kind of love is explained in 1 Cor 13. We normally read this in the context of a wedding but this scripture was not written for a wedding – but for a church that was deeply divided!
The qualities of God kind of love are explained, so when we love one another these qualities must be evident:
- Patience
- Kindness
- Generous – not just taking but giving
- Humility – Not arrogant or rude
- Courteous – Not rejoice at wrongdoing
- Not Selfish
- Not easily angered
- Thinks no evil
- Sincerity – Rejoices in the truth
- Bears, believes, hopes and Endures all things
- We are to love with a Never failing love
We can see everyone of this is evident in Jesus’s life and ministry – and we are to follow and imitate him. That is why He said – As I have loved you.