Love: To Be Continued...

Let love continue. Love needs to keep on and on and on. Hebrews 13:1 (NKJV) "Let brotherly love continue." The same verse in (NIV) - "Keep on loving each other as brothers." The (AMP) Bible elaborates: "Let love for your fellow believers continue and be a fixed practice with you [never let it fail.]" It is important that love not give up and quit. The word 'continue' in Greek is the word meno (the same word used in 1 Corinthians 13:13 - remain, abide) that means: to stay, abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand. Love lasts forever. Let love continue.

"Beloved"

Beloved. Love is an action that when given and received brings identity and affirmation. "BE LOVED" 1 John 4:7 (NKJV) says: "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God." Jesus, at His baptism was affirmed by the word of the Father- Mark 1:11 - Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” The word 'beloved' is a term of endearment that means: to be greatly loved, dear to the heart, cherished, precious, adored, esteemed, and highly valued. Love comes in word and deed to establish and secure you. Let yourself be loved. Receive it. Be assured. Beloved.

Love Drives Out Fear

Love drives out fear. 1 John 4:18 (NIV) - "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." The MSG puts it this way - "There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love." Love drives out, casts out, banishes fear. Fear and mature love do not co-exist anymore than light and darkness or good and evil. The fears and insecurities that are in us will leave as love is formed and developed in us. No longer dreading punishment or death, nor driven by guilt and shame - we come to rely on the perfect love the Father has for us. We are assured and rest in that love. Love drives out fear.

Love Must Be Sincere

Love must be sincere. Romans 12:9 makes this statement about love. Let's take a look at this verse in some other versions. NKJV - "Let love be without hypocrisy." NLT - "Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them." MSG - "Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it." Love should be 'the real thing.' No masks, no putting on an act. Sincere means to be free of deceit or falseness; genuine, pure, unadulterated, unfeigned. Not phony or simulated. Love that is sincere builds trust and authentic relationship. Keep it real. Love must be sincere.

Love One Another

Love one another. We have commented on Jesus' words concerning loving God, loving our neighbors, and loving our enemies. I want to mention what He says about love among those who belong to the household or community of faith. Jesus said this to his followers in John 13:34,35 - "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." The hallmark of a believer is shown in the way he loves fellow believers. Romans 12:10 says that we should - "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love." We receive love and give love. We are to be channels and conduits of God's love. This love is manifested in our words and actions. In our care and concern for one another. Do good to all, but especially to those who are members of God's family. This is our greatest witness to those who do not yet believe. Love one another.

Love Your Enemies

Love your enemies. What? Love those who are against you, provoke you and persecute you? That makes no sense. Yet, because God's love is unconditional, this is possible. This is what Jesus said in Matthew 5:43-45 (NIV) - "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." Through love, we can overcome evil with good. Your enemies expect you to treat them with contempt, so when you respond with love, they don't know what to do or say. We represent our Heavenly Father best when we love in difficult circumstances just as Jesus offered forgiveness from the cross to those responsible for His death. Be like Jesus. Love your enemies.

Love Your Neighbor

Love your neighbor. The greatest commandment is to love God but there is a continuation to this thought. In answer to the question: "Which commandment is most important?"; Jesus said that to love God is first and then proceeded to further add in Mark 12:31 (NIV) "The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." The word 'neighbor' comes from the word 'near'. Your neighbor is not only the person that lives next door to you, but, anyone who is in close proximity to you. This could include friends, fellow countrymen, co-workers, associates, and acquaintances. Anyone you come in contact with or that would be in your circle of contact. To all of these, whether man, woman, boy, or girl we are to demonstrate pure love. In the story that Jesus told about the Good Samaritan, (Luke 10:25-37) he pointed out that the neighbor was the one who had mercy and cared for the person in need, who had been beaten, robbed, and left for dead. In love, he reached out and expressed love and care to this stranger simply because their paths crossed and there was a need to be met. We are to do the same in showing love. Love your neighbor.