My Aunt Mary taught on love this week with the group, and this phrase came about. I was listening to an interview, and the person said it’s okay to have people disagree with you without hating them. The person stated, “I have people from all walks of life who do not believe in Jesus but I still love them.” I have seen people hate and not talk to each other because their views differ, especially concerning politics. I have heard people talk about another race and be judgmental because of a person’s lifestyle. We, as believers know faith works by love. God’s power can not flow through us when we are not walking in love. Love is God’s command, which means there is no other option. It is a must.
John13:34-35: 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.“
The definition of command is an order. God orders us as believers to love. My Aunt Mary says, “Judge a tree by the fruit it bears.” God knows, and people see if we are of God when we operate in love. If we get off the love walk, we need to repent and return on the right track. We can ask God to help in areas where we are not walking in love. Read 1 Corinthians 13 daily, and God will perfect you in love. God corrects those he loves.
Proverbs 3:11 New Living Translations says, 11 My child, accept the Lord’s discipline
and don’t be upset when he corrects you.12 For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.
There have been times in my life and yours where a mentor, friend, parent, or someone close to you corrects you out of love, which can be painful. Sometimes I would get hurt and offended when I was corrected because I thought they were being mean or nitpicking. However, someone else would say the same thing and then I realized they did it out of love. As I mature, when I am corrected, I welcome it because it makes me a better and wiser person. Proverb 9:8 New Living: So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you. Let us be wise and accept correction, learn from it, and become more discerning.
Most believers know about Mark 11:24, which says whatever you ask in prayer, believe you receive, and you shall have whatever you pray for. However, Mark 11:25 also says: And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
A pastor who taught on love once said as long as we’re holding onto it, God has no legal right to do anything for us because God doesn’t force anything on us. God gives us a choice. We block our blessings when we don’t forgive and are not walking in love. Many of us as believers are not getting far and are stuck because we are not walking in love. The pastor I listened to stated that love is the high life, and The low life is manipulation and hate. We must watch what we see in the news and on social media. It twists things and causes people to hate each other.
Romans 12:18 says If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
It doesn’t mean everyone will be at peace with us. However, we are responsible for how we react to negative people. Matthew 5:9 says: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Romans 12:21 says do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.
It is just like electricity. Negative and positive produce power. Negative things come at us; we can counteract them by doing something positive according to the word of God, and the power of God flows through.
Things can go sour, but love releases God’s power!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for loving me even when I do wrong. God, you command us to love. God, I repent for being disobedient and not walking in love. God, help me to accept correction, learn from it and become wiser. I am not overcome by evil; I overcome evil with good. I pray for my enemies and people who hate me for your power to flow through me. I refuse to remain stuck by holding on to offenses. I give it over to you, so my prayers can be answered. I give you thanks and praise in Jesus’ name! Amen.