Abounding in Love

What does the love of God in Christ look like? How can we provide an environment that is truly representative of Christ and His love for us? It would most certainly involve, at least, the following key components . . .

For starters, humility must characterize our lives for love to function to its fullest capacity. Hatred is often viewed as the opposite of love, but in reality the opposite of love is selfishness. Our Lord was selfless in His pursuit of providing for our salvation from sin. He gave up His own comfort and ease, while at the same time having a willingness to suffer great loss so that we could have the greatest gain (2 Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich). Love looks out for the needs of others without regard for the personal cost involved to oneself (Philippians 2:2–4 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others).

Next, you must factor in purity to enable love to reach its fullest extent. We are not just speaking of a purity of life, but a purity of heart. A God-shaped love has a genuineness in its motivation. True love never takes advantage of anyone or takes something away. It is good and gracious with a fullness of mercy. It is at its core giving and forgiving. This flow of unhypocritical love comes from the deep, inexhaustible well-spring of God’s love for us of which we have received. Consider Peter’s words in 1 Peter 1:22, where he says, "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently”.

Then, as is stated at the conclusion of the last verse, we must persevere for love to become seen in its full operation. That “fervent love” is encouraged also by Peter in chapter 4, verse 8. There is not only breadth of love but a depth enjoined upon us. This kind of love will promote unity in the relationships of believers.

  Colossians 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
      ~ Love will dictate our level of forgiveness, patience and mercy among the brethren ~