God’s word tells us to love our fellow man, just like we love ourselves. We cannot love until we really understand what love is. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Paul describes what love is. In these verses Paul is talking about “agape” love, the kind of love God’s has for us. God’s love is unconditional. He loves us despite all our faults. It is the kind of love we should show to one another. In verse 1 Corinthians 13:4 it says, “Love is patient and kind. It does not envy, does not boast, and is not proud.” To be able to love we must be patient and kind and show love to everyone we meet. We need patience to not react to the things people say or do. Love is not envious, boastful or proud. We should not be envious of what others have. We should celebrate each other blessings and encourage each other. All of us are God’s children and he loves us all equally.
We can learn to love one another. All we need to do is use Jesus as our example. If we use him as our example, then we will learn how to not be provoked by the things people say or do. We will learn to look for the good in everyone we meet. Therefore, it is critical to put on the whole armor of God each day, when we rise in the morning. Ephesians 6:11 says,” Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil”. God’s armor is his holy word. If we get on our knees each morning, pray and read his word, we will be able to walk in love and not let negativity and strife affect us.
When we arm ourselves with God’s word we will not react to what others say or do. We must beat our flesh into submission each day. What I do when someone is saying something to me that could upset me, I recite a scripture to myself and this helps me not get angry or say something that would make the situation worse. One scripture I recite every day is Isaiah 54:17 “No weapon formed against me shall prosper.” Just saying this scripture has helped me through many situations. It reminds me that I serve an awesome God who will never leave me, nor forsake. Speaking God’s word about whatever I might be going thru, gets my focus off the situation and reminds me that I serve a powerful God.
When we walk in love we can see the positive in a negative situation. We will have trials and tribulations and things will not always go like we planned, but when we walk with God even gloomy days seem bright. I have learned that in every experience we encounter, there is something in it that God wants us to learn. 1 Corinthians 13:7 says, “It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” Love always persevere means loves endures everything. When we learn how to love one another like God’s love us, then the things we go through on this earth will not upset or trouble us. We will be able to endure anything because we know that our faith in God will carry us through any situation and that no problem is too hard for him to solve.
God loved us so much that he sent his only son to live on this earth to show us how to treat one another. To show us how to love one another unconditionally, like he loves us. No matter how much we mess up, we can go to God with a contrite and sincere heart, repent of our sins and he will forgive us every time. Today start showing love to everyone you meet. Love others as much as you love yourself.
LSW
Linda Sharp-Williams 