In Part One, we saw that God wants us to “Love your neighbour as yourself”. It is very difficult for us to obey this command if we try to love one another with human love. Part One showed us the difference between God’s love and Human love. We continue….
To care if others come to the Kingdom of God – This should be our total motivation for serving God. This is the greatest gift we can possibly give to another. How wonderful to be the vessel God uses to channel His gift of everlasting life to others. With this goal in mind, we will then willingly serve others.
As we fellowship with other believers our goal should remain the same – to care if our brethren come to a deeper knowledge of God. Criticizing and judging others destroys people and breaks down situations, which is not how God works. “Loving our neighbour” by laying down our selfish motives in order that those around us come to the Kingdom of God, is a far more encouraging way – and is God’s way.
Apostle Paul shows us how Gods love (not human love), works.
How kind and patient are we? Do we brag? (even slightly?). God’s love does not take into account a wrong suffered and bears all things (not just those that are convenient!). Are we able to endure all things? It would be good for us to daily meditate on this scripture during a quiet time with the Lord.
Jesus shows us another way in which we love our neighbour. Sadly, today it is easier for us to gossip behind the backs of others rather than to confront the situation in an open way. In our emotional state we are afraid to approach others for fear of rejection or offending. We find ourselves witnessing the sin and talking to others about it (as harmless as it may seem).
If we really care whether that person comes to a deeper knowledge of God (love our neighbour), we will openly reprove them (in private at first) so that they may come closer to God through that admonishing word of encouragement. Remember: We judge the sin, NOT the person!
If we witness the sin in others and do nothing about it – is that really ‘loving our neighbour’ or caring whether they come to a deeper knowledge of God?
These two kinds of love are completely different. God’s love through us is based upon a laid down life, caring if others come to the Kingdom of God (at any cost to ourselves).
Human love is based on emotion. The two cannot mix and we need to seek the Lord daily to have His love flow through us. This can only be done as we die to the self-centered nature and live a more spirit led life.
| God’s Love (1 Cor.13:4-8) | Man’s Love (Gal.5:19-21) |
| Suffereth long and is kind | Uncleanness, hatred |
| Envieth not, Vaunteth not | Envyings, revellings |
| Not puffed up, seeketh not her own | Disputes, dissensions, factions |
| Is not easily provoked, does not think evil | Wroth, witchcraft, emulations (jealousy). |
| Rejoiceth not in iniquity, rejoiceth in the truth | Impurity, evil desire, greed (Col. 3:5) |
| Beareth all things, endureth all things | Wroth of man worketh not the righteousness of God. (James 1:20) |
From: “…time with the Master…”
If you feel this article has value, please send this link to others, Writings are meant for people, not for dormant files in our computers and very often when we share them, it results in positive changes in the lives of individuals and communities.
Please feel free to send in questions (see ‘Contact’) and comments (hit ‘Comments’
button).
Ad Crucem Christi - The Cross of Christ 