God commends His love to us—to love Him and our fellow humankind. God is love and He stands ready to produce His perfect love within us (Galatians 5:22). We will know we love God when we love our brethren in Christ and others, including our enemies (1 John 4:19-21).
What Scripture Says
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law" (Galatians 5:22,23)."Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us" (Romans 5:5).
"As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends" (John 15:9-13).
How To Love And Be Loved
When you are born again of the Spirit of God, your old nature changes. God can even give you love for others that is greater than normal human love. If you have not been reborn spiritually, call upon Jesus Christ now. Repent of all sin. Ask for His forgiveness and receive it in faith (Romans 10:13; 1 John 1:8,9; John 1:12). Ask Jesus to also baptize you in the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13).The Holy Spirit working within you can produce the highest form of love: agape love. It is the kind of love God has for you, wherein He loves you regardless of whether you love Him in return. It is the love you need in order to love others, regardless of their response to your love.
The substance of genuine agape love is not learned, but a product of the Holy Spirit. It is felt emotionally as your heart receives it. You will realize that you also have a genuine love for God and, therefore, desire to be a blessing to Him and for Him. You will feel a sense of oneness toward others: oneness in spirit, in purpose and effort, emotionally and in the Spirit of God.
The person who said that "love is a feeling" was only describing love as a heartfelt emotion. But if not acted out, this emotion cannot be labelled true love. It is like faith as it must be accompanied by the works which establish it. Read Jesus' confrontation with Peter about Peter's love for Him (John 21:15-17) and James' discourse on faith (James 2:17-26).
Yet an act of love is only noise unless it comes from a heart filled with love (see
1 Corinthians 13). Pray that the Holy Spirit will give you love, the fruit of the Spirit. Ask for a great love for people in general. Then specifically ask for a great love for a person whom you find difficult to love. It is then that your deliberate act of love will be received and recognized as genuine, not just an empty action.
You possess genuine love for someone when you find yourself with a desire to bless that person. Ask God to show you all the praiseworthy things about the person and how you can bless him/her. Then look for opportunities to share those praiseworthy things (a few at a time) and be a blessing. You will soon discover that you have genuine love.
As You Pray
Pray in agreement with God's Word that He will fill you with His love and Holy Spirit. A sample prayer: "Father, I believe You love me. The Scripture says I can love You because You first loved me. I thank You for Your love. Fill my heart in a greater way than You ever have before. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and love. Help me to grow in Your love and let me show Your love to all those around me. Thank you, Father. In Jesus' name. Amen."Suggested Reading
Love And Be Loved by Rich Buhler, Love Is A Decision by Gary Smalley, and the book of 1 John.1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Characteristics associated with love
John 3:16 God's love revealed
1 John 4:7-14 God's love explained
Revelation 1:5 Christ's love is forever
Ephesians 2:4,5 God's love is unearned
Matthew 22:37,38 Christ's command to love
John 13:34,35 Love for each other proves we are God's people
Matthew 5:43,44 Love for our enemies
Crossroads is happy to help. In fact, that's the whole reason we exist as a ministry. The daily 100 Huntley Street telecast and the 24-hour-a-day Telephone Ministry line are here for the same reason. You may want to call us as you are reading this: 1-866-273-4444
God loves you and we love you! Please give us the privilege of doing our best to help more. For further ministry, you may contact the Crossroads Ministry Centre by writing to:
Crossroads Christian Communications Inc.
Attn: National Ministry Centre
PO Box 5100
Burlington, Ontario L7R 4M2
