The New Commandment.

The New Commandment.

Love; one of the greatest qualities in the world and one which is impossible to adequately express in words.

God is love. He can be nothing but love. As God is perfect and perfect love casts out fear. God pours out His love upon us, flooding us in the liquid sweetness of His embrace; His affection, devotion and adoration. In this He is showing us to live in courageous love, perfect love, love that knows no bounds.

The devil would like nothing more than to separate us from the love of God and he strives diligently to achieve that end. The devil confuses and deceives us into believing we have to strive to attain God’s love. He tells us we aren’t doing enough, being enough, giving enough. He points out each mistake we make and engulfs us in guilt and condemnation and I believe, these feelings of guilt and condemnation are greatly enhanced through the devil and his wily ways.

Because we are imperfect beings, we will make mistakes. God, in His love, will correct us. He will bring a check to our spirit. At this time we must repent and ask forgiveness. In not doing so we open the door to the devil and his schemes.

God doesn’t hold our transgressions before us. He casts them into the sea and remembers them no more. It’s only through the work of the devil that our faults are carried before us, slinging them as mud to dirty the connection we have between ourselves and the Father.

God doesn’t love you because you are perfect and good. He loves you because He is love and He can do nothing but love.

We all carry scars in life and with those scars come deep chasms of pain. When transplanted in God’s love, when rooted and grounded in Him the burnt ashes of satan’s condemnation drift away on the breeze. Then we’re able to heal, become whole and help others in similar situations heal and become whole, as we become the hands of Christ in this hurting world extending that love to all.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3; Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand the mysteries and all knowledge, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

Life isn’t about what we accomplish or what we own. Life is; who did you love? There is nothing greater to the unchurched world than that we show God’s love. Without love, people can’t hear your message, the message of salvation. A meal for a homeless man, a pair of socks on a cold day, a gentle touch in a time of need; that is the hand of love at work.

In fact, Jesus commanded us to love one another. John 13:35; A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

Love is a universal language that everyone understands. Freely we have received and so freely we give. Everyone desires to be loved and so love lavishly, love unconditionally, for it is the nature of love to do so.

People today are impatient. The everyday pressures of life impinging on our peace, contentment and joy, but love is patient; patient with family, friends and frailness. Patient, even with oneself. Love also forgives. It’s not vindictive, grouchy or resentful.

God gives us the choice; forget the offence and let it go or hang onto it and let it fester. Forgive quickly, before the offence takes root and grows. Don’t try to manipulate or control others. There’s no personal satisfaction in forcing someone to bend to your will.

In love is respect and freedom, peace, joy and happiness. Add a sprinkle of love to everything you do and to everyone you meet every day. Give a smile, or a kind word, drop a dollar in the busker’s hat, have a conversation with an elderly person. Be the hand of God in a world full of pain.