The Unmasking Of True Love
Today is the last Sunday of February. February is the month in which we celebrate Valentines Day, a time of celebration if you would of love. I know it has been commercialized and romanticized, yet it is a time we need claim. Love is special. Love comes from God. Now I am not talking about the twisted version Satan tries t o pass off as love – that would be lust. Today I want to look at love and unmask it if you would.
First I want to read from 1 John 4:7-21…
1 John 4:7-21 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. {8} He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. {9} In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. {10} Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. {11} Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. {12} No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. {13} Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. {14} And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. {15} Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. {16} And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. {17} Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. {18} There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. {19} We love him, because he first loved us. {20} If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? {21} And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
First let us know…
God is love
1 John 4:8 tells us this – God is love – He first loved us and we can love Him because of this
God loves us as our creator
God loves us as our Savior
God gave His best for us (Jesus was given for our propitiation - which is like redemption) – 9, 10
God wants His best for us (blessed life in eternity)
His best is our love for Him
We can also see in 1 John 4…
Love is God’s way
His nature was to love us and provide for us through His Son – vs. 10
Our nature if we are in Him is to love Him, love each other and keep His commandments – 11
His love brings more love and even removes hatred from our lives – 20
His love removes fear and brings confidence as to our place in eternity – 17-18
And it shows that…
Love becomes our way
As believers we dwell in His love – 15, 16
As believers we love each other – 11
As believers God’s Spirit guides us in love – 13
Why all the fuss about love?
Because it is special
It will last
It is real
Next let us read from Chapter 13 Book of 1st Corinthians, understand when we read in the KJV the word charity it would be better translated love in today’s language.
1 Corinthians 13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. {2} And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. {3} And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. {4} Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, {5} Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; {6} Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; {7} Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. {8} Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. {9} For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. {10} But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. {11} When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. {12} For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. {13} And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
We can see from this scripture…
Love is always advantageous
Love is better than all the awards, any accomplishment or any position we can have in life
Love lasts – 4
Love is nice and kind – 4
Love is considerate and does not envy – 4
Love does not show off
Love is not conceited
Love is not rude
Love is provoked
Love thinks the best
Love hopes for the best
Love looks for the best
All that says a great deal about love does it not?
I like how The Message renders this particular passage:
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.
Did you catch all that? Love has a way of showing up and staying hidden.
What?
Yeah we cannot really hide love it will act right. Do the right things, think the right things, etc.
It will also show up by placing others ahead of itself, etc.
We can see that not only is it always advantageous, we see...
Love is always authentic – 4-6
Comes from God
Behaves in a godlike manner
Shows and teaches others about God
Not selfish or self-serving in any way
Etc.
Love is always active (to improve) - 7
Hopeful
Strives to do and give the best
Doing what is right for others
Seeking and giving forgiveness
So, what do we need to do with love?
Desire it
Claim it
Know it
Cling to it
Nurture it
Herald it
Share it
Gary Marcum – New Beginnings Church – 022408am