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| Operating in Love |
| by Pastor Jim Wandell |
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| Scripture Reading: I Corinthians 13 (The word “charity” in this passage, translates to “love”). |
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| Today, let`s take a look at what God`s Word tells us about operating in love. Our scripture reading tells us a lot about love, doesn`t it? In fact, verse 13 tells us that the greatest out of faith, hope, and love, is LOVE! Why do you think that love is called the greatestOperating in Love ? |
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| Look at some of the attributes of love found in I Corinthians chapter 13. (The references below are from the NIV translation of the Bible). |
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| Verse 4: Love is patient, and love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. |
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| Verse 5: Love is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. (Remembering the past hurts and failures that others have had or have caused you! It doesn`t hold a grudge! Love is forgiving!) |
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| Verse 6: Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. |
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| Verse 7: Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. |
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| Verse 8: Love never fails… |
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| In Ephesians 5:1-2 we are told the following: |
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| “Be ye therefore followers (imitators) of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us |
| an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.” |
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| We hear loudly and clearly from this verse that we are to be imitators of God. We are to act like He acts, and we are to speak His Words and do the things that He does. Now with that in mind, look back at the attributes of love. As true imitators of God, can we find ourselves in this list? Do we possess any of these qualities? Are we operating in the attributes of love in our lives? |
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| Love is a binding element in life. God is bound to us by His love. Husbands and wives, families are bound together by love. If it weren`t for God`s love for us, faith and hope wouldn`t be available to us. If God didn`t love, then He never would have sent Jesus to pay the price for our sins, and salvation through His shed blood wouldn`t be available to us. |
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| There are different types of love. There is the love between a husband and a wife, which contains the physical and emotional aspects. The world has its own perverted idea of love. But the love we are to operate under is the “agape”, God kind of love. That love carries with it: |
| · Understanding (being compassionate and caring) |
| · Forgiveness |
| · Kindness |
| · Peace and harmony (strife free!) |
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| Operating in love opens the door for God`s richest blessings to flow and pour out upon believers. Why? Because love is an act of obedience to the Father and He has promised blessings to those who are obedient to His Word. |
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| With Valentine`s Day coming up very soon, the world will turn to its definition of love and celebrate a “Hallmark Holiday”. They will put all their energy and efforts into a one-day celebration of love their way. |
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| We (believers), on the other hand need to take the love that we have in us and use it every day. |
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| Do you tell your children that you love them? How about your parents? Do you tell your spouse that you love them, and do your children hear you say it to each other? It is important that they do because if they see mom and dad operating in love every day, they will follow suit and become imitators of you as you imitate Christ. |
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| So the challenge is before us. If we have not been operating in love, then we need to get started and be obedient to God`s Word. |
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| Remember that Jesus loved us in spite of our downfalls. Even before we loved Him, He loved us. What an awesome opportunity we have to imitate Him and operate and walk in love. |
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