God IS Love

[Jerod W. Rickert]

God is Love... What repercussions does this lay at our feet? "Love (Agapao) one another, as I have loved (agapao) you"... see 1 Cor 13... if God truly is Agape, then in the 13th Chapter, we are given not just a definition of love, but an in-depth look at the very character and nature of God, Himself... If we do not love our brothers and sisters in Christ, and the world-at-large, we are incapable of claiming to know or be filled with God, as God's very being is the embodiment of Love... God calls us to a type and nature of Love that is foreign and foolish to the human, unrenewed mind... God chose to Love us while we were unlovable, unregenerate sinners... And calls us to do the same with the world!!!! We must understand that without the indwelling and filling of the Holy Spirit of God (the Bringer and infuser of Agape), that this kind of Love and response to the world is impossible, It is only through understanding that God is Love, that we can begin to fulfill this... My precious Brothers and Sisters, this month I wanted to show you all the exceedingly, abundant Love that Christ has called us to... It is both a terrible burden and a thrilling challenge. It requires nothing short of a complete and total surrendering to the Love of God for us, an immersion in the Spirit of Love that God has poured out on us and a reliance on the very Hand of Christ which still bears the marks of Calvary to empower us beyond our own capabilities... Why is it "they will know we are Christians by our Love one for another" (John 13:35)?? Does not the world have Love, one for another?? Husband and wife, members of a fraternity or sorority, veterans of a shared campaign? Why then shall we be identified by our Love? Because Agape is not the Love of the world one for another, it is both unknown and unattainable by the World, outside of Christ and the Holy Spirit. Our Agape for each other, which is love in action, not just love in words, is what will separate and identify us as the Beloved of God... My fellow sojourners, let us look forward to the continuation of this beautiful journey together, and until next time, may the precious Agape of Christ flow through, in and exude from you...
1John 4:8 The one who does not love has not known God, because God is love.
1Co 13:1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but I do not have love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
1Co 13:2 And if I have prophecies, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so as to move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
1Co 13:3 And if I give out all my goods, and if I deliver my body that I be burned, but I do not have love, I am not profited anything.
1Co 13:4 Love has patience, is kind; love is not envious; love is not vain, is not puffed up;
1Co 13:5 does not behave indecently, does not pursue its own things, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil;
1Co 13:6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth.
1Co 13:7 Love quietly covers all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
1Co 13:8 Love never fails. But if there are prophecies, they will be caused to cease; if tongues, they shall cease; if knowledge, it will be caused to cease.
1Co 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part;
1Co 13:10 but when the perfect thing comes, then that which is in part will be caused to cease.
1Co 13:11 When I was an infant, I spoke as an infant, I thought as an infant, I reasoned as an infant. But when I became a man, I caused to cease the things of the infant.
1Co 13:12 For now we see through a mirror in dimness, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will fully know even as I also was fully known.
1Co 13:13 And now faith, hope, and love, these three things remain; but the greatest of these is love.
the Greek verb ἀαπᾶς, agapás, denotes the highest, most perfect kind of love (Latin, diligere), implying a clear determination of will and judgment, and belonging particularly to the sphere of Divine revelation.
"A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; even as I have loved you, that ye also love one another" (John 13:34)

[cowgirlvickie]

Amen! Wow...almost word for word...my study of Love. I think Love is the foundation and Forgiveness is a stepping stone to love. Without forgiveness Love is hard to attain. I can only speak for myself. This is something I am learning as I type these words. To show others love when you are being used is the most difficult thing anyone could ever go through. But Christ did it for me...how can I turn my back on his children and refuse to show them what HE has so graciously and lovingly showed me. I cannot turn my back! Some may ask how many times must I forgive...the Bible says seventy times seven...I feel that I should forgive as much as Christ has forgiven me....and boy is that alot....LOL...I like to use the "Those without sin cast the first stone" verse too. So many times we judge causing "ME" to look better when in fact God is not happy with it. For in this verse, we see that God is saying if you have sin in your life, you cannot judge anyone. Am I wrong? You also see that God pardons her for her sin and charges her no more...but asks for her not to repeat it. Repentance is a full confession AND a turn...to ask for Forgiveness and not turn from it, is not true forgiveness so you cannot attain love from that kind of forgiveness. As I sit here with tears rollin down my face because I have failed to show a sister love...I will fix it. Please pray for me. By Gods grace and mercy, I will show her Agape Love. Thanks Jerod for posting this one too...God Bless You all.....Cowgirl Vickie