“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name
Immanuel,” which is translated, as “God with us.” Matt.1:23
God is love. A person that desires intimate fellowship with God must walk in love with God
and people. “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love,
and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.” 1John 4:16. You cannot love
God without loving people. “If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a
liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom
he has not seen?” 1John 4:20. Love is a frequently misunderstood word but we find the
definition of agape love in 1Cor.13:4-7. I will encourage you to take time and
meditate on this Bible definition of love and practice it.
“Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with
jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not
conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act
unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way,
for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the
evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice
and unrighteousness but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under
anything and everything that comes is ever ready to believe the best of every person,
its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without
weakening].” 1 Corinthians
This love is shed abroad in our hearts. “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of
God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:5
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be
burned, but have not to love, it profits me nothing.” 1COR.13:3. Check your motive before
you take any step, especially in the kingdom of God. If love is not the motive God is not
in it and there is no reward for you from Him.