Love: The Greatest Force
The key to success, the power to change lives, and the ability to live without fear all lies in the domain of love.
1 Corinthians 13:8 Love never fails.
We must be moved and motivated by Love. The devil tries to get us to walk outside of love or to focus inward using that love selfishly.
1 John 4:12-20 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. (abide = to remain in a given place, state, relation or expectancy — continue, dwell, endure, be present, stand) (perfect = teleióō – where we get the word telescopic from; reaching the end-stage, working through the entire process to reach the conclusion)
13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us.
Love and hate are polar-opposites that diametrically oppose each other. The two cannot abide together. It is more than what we say, it is how we act.
20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.
Have you ever heard someone say, “Well, that’s your interpretation!”? You and I as believers do not have a right to our own opinion when it comes to the Word of God.
1 John 2:3-6 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
You may say, “I’m not Jesus. I could never walk as He walked!” The choice is simple. Are we going to believe and act on His Word or are we going to follow our own opinion? Look back at 1 John 4:17.
1 Peter 2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
Living outside of the love-walk not only hinders others, but it also hurts ourselves.
Matthew 11:28-30 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Stop seeing trials and tribulations as stumbling blocks. Allow them to show you areas in your life you need to strengthen.
Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 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.
Whenever we are assaulted by lies, hatred, and sufferings, turn things around on the devil by refusing to retaliate. People are not your problem. Love does not strike at the surface of things. It goes to the root of the problem.
1 Peter 3:8-9 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
Matthew 5:43-44 Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,”
1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
God is love which means love is the greatest power in the universe and has been given to us. Use it! It is the key to your success. Love cannot fail.