The hope and joy that the start of spring usually brings has been deferred for many of us because of our focus on our present circumstances. Right now many of us are confined to our homes as a virus runs rampant through our country. I felt led to write this post this morning to give readers the chance to refocus their attention on our loving Father. There is much that we can do as believers in these trying times and it all starts with love.
In chapter fifteen of the Gospel of John, Jesus speaks of love. He speaks of the love of the Father and the love that He has for us. In verse nine Jesus says, “As the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you.” This love, which is called Agape love is defined in I Corinthians 13, and was demonstrated to us by Jesus throughout His ministry. When we accepted Jesus as our Savior this love took up permanent residence in our hearts. It is this love, a selfless, patient, and kind love that will change the world.
Jesus appointed us that we should go out and produce fruit (John 15:16). Typically though, we go about our lives trying to produce fruit through our own works. Eventually this leads to frustration or disappointment as we do not see the desired results. In John 15:5 Jesus tells us that the only way to produce much fruit is by continuing to abide in Him. If we do not walk through this life with our eyes fixed on Jesus and with the realization that it is Jesus in us that completes the work, then our circumstances will continually get the better of us and we will not be able to demonstrate God’s power in our lives. We will continue to look but only see the natural, not the supernatural. The only way that we can love with the pure love that Jesus showed us is by living our lives with Jesus. We must truly surrender all to Him. Without Him we can do nothing, including loving one another.
All believers have Agape love in their hearts, yet this is not the type of love that we most often show to others. The type of love that we often give to others is Eros love. This type of love does something to get something. As we try to love one another in our own strength this is what usually comes out of us. When we are walking in Eros love eventually our flesh, our own innate selfish desires, will rise up and proclaim, “enough, what am I getting out of this?” Jesus showed us what surrendered love (Agape) looks like by laying down His life for us. He didn’t have an underlying motivation to get something for Himself when He did this. He did this out of a pure love for His Father and for humankind. He was able to be obedient to His Father’s will through His Father’s love. When we surrender to Jesus, we can do all through His love. Everything that we could ever ask our Father for has already been provided by love, it must also be received through love, and applied in love. God is LOVE! Let’s rewrite that previous sentence and replace “love” with God. Everything has already been provided by God, and we receive it through God (Jesus), and we apply it to our lives by remaining in God (Jesus). Amazing!
All we need is love, but not the world’s definition of love. Jesus gives to us not as the world gives and the surrendered love that Jesus demonstrated is the perfect example of this. During times such as these, we need to show the world Jesus’ love, because it is only through His love that the world will be changed. We cannot do it, we must recognize that it is Jesus in us that is doing the work.
The Truth in Action: Think about what you are praying for or what requests you are hoping God will fulfill for you. Now think about your underlying motivations for what you are asking of God. Are you asking out of a pure and unselfish love for others or are you asking for selfish purposes, to boast, or out of envy? Paul tells us in I Corinthians 13 that love does not boast, is not selfish, and does not envy. God cannot answer prayers that do not align with His will. Jesus tells us to love one another as He loved us, with patience, kindness, and humility. To demonstrate the power of God, we need to live side-by-side with Jesus, existing in His love and doing all through this love.
Further Study: Read I Corinthians 13 and ask the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of your heart as you read and to teach you how to apply this love to your life as you live each day with Jesus.