Without Love

Two things the Bible makes clear from start to finish are that 1. God loves all of humanity and 2. we are to strive to be Christlike. So here it is... LOVE!

 "...Love others as well as you love yourself." Mark 12:30-3.

If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.

Love cares more for others than for self.

Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.

Love doesn't strut,

Doesn't have a swelled head,

Doesn't force itself on others,

Isn't always "me first,"

Doesn't fly off the handle,

Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,

Doesn't revel when others grovel,

Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,

Puts up with anything,

Trusts God always,

Always looks for the best,

Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.

1 Corinthians 13:3-5

I know that's a pretty tall order and not easy for any of us... When we think of love we think it's an emotion, intention or decision of the mind... And although it can be all of those things something we often forget - most likely because it's easier to forget - is love is continuous action.  We have to decide not to keep score, to put up with the things that drive us nuts about each other, to always look for the best in others even if it's hard to find at times and if we get satisfaction because someone who once did us wrong is now having to grovel we have to repent of that and extend a hand of mercy.

I know this is a shorter blog but it doesn't have to be lengthy to be important...  So that's it, think on this and not to think only but apply, find the areas of love decisions you have trouble with and honestly work on them and change whatever you feel God is asking you to change to be more like Him and show His love through your own life!