Love

"The purpose of my instruction is that all the Christians there would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and sincere faith." --Paul (1 Timothy 1:5)

Think about the early part of that verse for a moment, Paul says, "The purpose of my teaching is that Christians would be filled with love". Remember, Paul wrote around 2/3 of the New Testament. With that in mind, the purpose of the New Testament (at least 2/3 of it) must be that Christians be filled with love. Now my question is this, "Are Christians today known by their love?" And is the church known by its love?, or rather by what and who it's against?

Let's work on it today. Find a need and meet it! Find a lost soul and share from your abundance. Live the Good News: God's not angry with us any more!

If you want a recipe for love, then Paul shares it. Love comes from a "pure heart", "a clear conscience", and "sincere faith". The ingredients are just a prayer away. Go ahead! Try it!

"You think that everyone should agree with your perfect knowledge. While knowledge may make us feel important, it is love that really builds up the church" (1 Corinthians 8:1).



We all have the arrogant ability to at times believe that we are without question in the right and thus others are beyond a doubt in the wrong. It appears that the Holy Spirit writing through the Apostle Paul has a different and higher agenda. God would have us focus not on the correctness of our belief but rather on the spirit with which it is held. We may very well be right--but if our staunch and unwavering views remove love from a relationship--then what have we really accomplished? The Holy Spirit shouts in reply, "NOTHING!" "If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God's secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn't love others, I would be nothing" (1 Corinthians 13:2). Instead of defensively arguing for a position, wouldn't it be wonderful to pause, to lovingly listen, and to attempt to understand the views of another? Maybe I'll try it today...