04/12/2016

AN IRREPLACEABLE VIRTUE IN CHRISTIAN SERVICE

Romans 12:9; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Love is indispensable in the life and service of every Christian. It covers every aspect of the believer’s life and no child of God can make much progress in life and ministry without it. In interaction with other people at home, church, community, school or office, the believer is commanded to “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” Thus, we should, as believers, constantly examine our motives and actions to ensure that they are borne out of love. Our relationship with others should bring joy, comfort and encouragement to them.

Apostle Paul’s epistle to the Corinthian brethren shows that love is more important than all the spiritual gifts being exercised in the present-day church. Great faith, acts of dedication or sacrifice, and miracle-working power produce very little without love. Love makes our actions and gifts useful. Our gifts, positions and activities in the church will be unprofitable if the love of God is not at its foundation. Christian service demands love, and it is love shed abroad in our hearts. Although everyone is created with natural love, believers possess spiritual love at salvation. This love increases and becomes deeper and richer with sanctification and Holy Ghost baptism experiences. Our love should supersede our knowledge and strength. Everything we do in Christian service – preaching, teaching, giving, caring, evangelism, visitation, prayer and intercession – should be anchored on love. Love does not exist in isolation; neither is it passive. It is active, functional, practical, creative, proactive, thoughtful and transformational. Our love should be expressed in actions of affection, kindness, consideration and empathy. If our actions are propelled by love, it will benefit us, the church and society. True believers manifest pure and transparent love.

1. THE DECEPTIVE LOVE OF SUBTLE HATRED

Romans 12:9; 1 Samuel 18:22,25; 2 Samuel 20:9,10; 16:15-19; Psalm 55:21; Proverbs 26:25; 1 Thessalonians 2:3

“Let love be without dissimulation…”. As believers, our love should be devoid of any form of deception. We should eschew any act or conduct that has the stain of sin. Thus, gossips, backbiting and negative criticism must be abhorred as these can discourage or put down others. Every believer should be wary of a pretender like Saul, Joab, Judas Iscariot or Hushai whose real motive is hidden. “When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.” To conceal envy or hatred in the heart against other people while we pretend to love them is sheer hypocrisy that will attract God’s judgment except there is repentance.

2. THE DIVINE LOVE FROM SANCTIFIED HEARTS

Romans 12:9; 1 Corinthians 13:1-8; Romans 5:1-5

Sanctified believers have the love-nature of God imputed to them. Thus, they manifest real and sincere love that goes far beyond pretence and politeness. The Lord wants us to manifest His love that has been shed abroad in our hearts to other people.So, “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” Bishops, evangelists, overseers and pastors have a responsibility to manifest divine love to everyone – young and old, rich and poor, educated and illiterate, etc. – in their ministries. To “love one another with a pure heart fervently” (1 Peter 1:22), requires that every believer and member of the church carry out their responsibilities of love towards other brethren who are sick, lonely, jobless, poor, etc. “…Because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us”, we can always make necessary sacrifices for the sake of our brethren. Don’t allow the action of other people to affect or determine your personality. Avoid any action that will result in discouragement and destruction of other people and let the love of God saturate your heart today.

3. OUR DILIGENT LOVE IN SACRIFICIAL HARVESTING

Hebrews 6:10-12; 1 John 3:16-18; John 21:15-17

Believers who labour in love and are diligent in sacrificial harvesting in the family, school, office or marketplace will not forfeit their reward. “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” Our love should not be partial, passive or inactive. Rather, it should be practical, creative, functional and proactive love. Christians who have experienced the love of God also show mercy to the needy and give to meet the needs of other saints. “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren… let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” As recipients of God’s love, we should not allow job, fashion, certificate, promotion, business, politics, wealth, marriage, children, etc., to compete with the love of God in our hearts. Love is practical; if we truly love Christ, we will win souls and feed His sheep.

GHS: 114, 117232