What would our world be today without love?
My Mother and Father loved us enough to correct and teach us principles that would stay with us our whole life. I remember whenever I would get into an argument with my sister that my Daddy would make us stand in front of the living room stove and kiss and make up. We had to say we were sorry and this was done in front of whoever was there at the time.
It was one of the hardest things I had to do. The last thing I wanted to do was kiss my sister when I was so angry with her. Often I thought to myself that maybe I could say I was sorry and then be done with it; or maybe I could cross my fingers and pretend. But NO, that would not do it. Well, before it was over we would both end up laughing, forgiving and loving each other.
Have you ever heard the expression, “This will hurt me more than it will hurt you”? It’s funny now that I have children, grandchildren and great grandchildren how that really is so true. I understand now that Daddy was teaching us that we have to forgive others and love them. I am so grateful he taught me this principle.
If anger is held inside, it becomes like a cancer eating at us until we die. Holding on to grudges and not forgiving poisons and festers our soul. But God’s love can conquer these issues!
God said, “Love is the greatest gift of all”! WOW! A simple thing called LOVE.
God’s love is described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8,
“Love is patient, Love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, 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, Love never fails”.
Do you know anyone like that?
The only one I know is Jesus.
A parent may love his child and desire his welfare, yet remain strongly opposed to his misconduct. Do we love our children enough to say “NO”– even if it means they stay mad for a period of time? We do not want our children to be lost. Can we love them enough to correct them and hope and pray in time they will understand? Continually tell your children you love them.
All your children really want is your love.
If you as a parent make a mistake, don’t let pride keep you from saying “I’m sorry” to your children.
Personally I can’t imagine not loving my family members. However, it is becoming more and more apparent that this is happening in the world around us. Maybe you have even experienced this.
God says that in the last days mothers will turn against daughters, fathers against sons, brother against brother and sister against sister. (Luke 12:53) This is exactly what we are seeing today in many families. There are adults who will not speak to their children, and children refusing to speak to their parents. This separation causes much pain and heartache.
I’m sure many of you can relate to this and perhaps it is even occurring in your family. So what is the solution?
The answer is found in the Word of God. Jesus talked a lot about love. So, how much do we really love? Do we love a person enough to tell them about Jesus? The Lord doesn’t want any to perish or go to Hell. Are we concerned as well about where they will spend Eternity? Do we love others more than we care about their opinion or possible rejection of us?
How about loving your neighbor as yourself? Let’s face it — We love ourselves a lot! Do we love people enough to preach the Gospel to a dying World?
How are we to reach the lost when we have so much stuff in us? How can we pray for someone who will not forgive someone else when we ourselves are holding grudges?
Do we have pride? Are we envious? Are we quick to judge? Do we not care?
My prayer is, “Lord, help me to be the person you would have me to be. Help me to reach out to the lost, no matter the cost. Lord, remove all the junk out of me that needs to get out.”
“Help me to Love like you love me.”
John 3:16– “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” KJV
Ephesians 2:4 –“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy”.
Romans 8:39—“Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord”.
So you see LOVE has a lot to do with it!!
IN FACT —
LOVE HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH IT!!
