To the church

                         THE IMPORTANCE OF LOVE 

By now in life, most of us have experienced the effects of love on our lives in more than just one way. There are many ways to use love, and might I say, to be used of love through others. We are told many things in the word of God about the characteristics, and makeup of love as it should be used and applied to everyone around us.  Just like every good thing from God; this world comes behind it with lies about what its real meaning is.

  The truth is that it is hard for me to speak about the use of love with people who no longer understand the meaning of it. In these times we are finding the changing of means has destroyed our natural ability to call out the most offensive parts of sin by name because the world around us has simply changed its meaning. Many treat this like a kind of forgiveness or a get-out-of-jail game card that enables them to skip over any kind of accountability.  It is strange to me how people accept that yet reject the straight-out forgiveness that Jesus offers through the real act of love. The one thing that we need to know most is whether are we engaging in real love in our lives or allowing ourselves to be manipulated by some counterfeit brand of love that has been made up by this world?

Did I lose you on that part?

The fact remains that we have somehow bought into a deceitful brand of love created by this world, or we never really learned how to love through God's intent for our lives. The thing about it is rather simple. We never fully love until we get past our fears of what it means to love God and to be loved by God in His way.  For a great many people, the fear of placing their lives into the hands of someone whose intent is to change us into creatures goes well beyond our comfort zone.

 I wondered at one time what my life would look like with God truly in charge of my heart, and the decisions of my head each day?  Frankly, I feel that is one of the problems with being able to open up our shut-up hearts and have the kind of passion for others that Jesus had.  Have you ever wondered what our churches would look and feel like if we would actually put God in charge of each of us when we came in to worship together? I have often wondered what God would prefer in our worship. I think we might be very surprised at what He would do?  The love we share with those around us has various qualities. It can run from being very immature and selfish to outgoing and filled with Spiritual Wisdom it all depends on where the intent of our heart is centered. 

  As this New Year begins I can't help but wonder if we could apply the love that God has granted us with more of His intent. Instead of pouring love out to those around us perhaps we could just let God pour His love through us to the world all around us. Maay you richly bless God through your life in Him.