It’s All About Love

altya

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Love is kind - Love is patient.
Love does not envy.
It does not boast.
It does not sulk
Love does not behave rude.
It is not self-seeking.
It is not easily angered,
Love keeps no record of wrongs
Rejoices not in wickedness, but rejoices in the truth;
Always protects, always believes and trust, always hopes, always persevere.
Love never fails:

This is my version of 1 Corinthians 13 and we all know what it says about love, but did you ever measure yourself against this scripture. I did, AND NEARLY DIE - I don’t measure at all. I believe this study is going to help me to improve myself.

LOVE IS KIND.

Is love kind only part time? Is love kind ONLY when your loved ones treat you good and with respect? NO. I believe kindness is a ‘fulltime job’; you have to be kind with people when they treat you bad. There is a LAW OF KINDNESS and for a time I was pondering on this. Law is the same as rules, commandments or regulations. All God’s rules are made to protect us. This is not a law written on our hearts its in our tongues – we have to speak kindness.

Proverbs 31:26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the LAW OF KINDNESS.

Kindness is to have compassion, to show sympathy, to act in gentleness and generosity, to let your deeds show thoughtfulness. Think of other people before you take care of your own feelings.

Because we aim to be like Jesus we are obligated to act as He did. The law of kindness requires us to be kind to one and another, to our enemies to those who are unthankful and to the evil people. There is also no such thing as TIME OUT. You have to be kind, ALL THE TIME and to ALL PEOPLE. THIS IS THE LAW OF KINDNESS.

Luke 6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. LOVE IS PATIENT

Patient is to be tolerant of all people weaknesses and limitations. We need to give people space to develop. We all make mistakes from time to time and best is not to go on and on about someone else’s mistakes. Those, who have a very bright light, cannot blow out the candle light of our fellow Christians
Patient’s compels us to walk in forgiveness no matter what people do to you. The very best way to accomplish this kind of forgiveness is to set people who hurt you free before you allow your mind to ‘run in the flesh’. Did you know that your mind is so willing to show you pictures and none of them are good, (meaning word based) let me explain with an example. Say for instance your loved one is unfaithful and you hear about this. Your mind will show you pictures of them, kissing or whatever. These pictures are there to trick you to follow your flesh. When you meditate on these pictures you will become bitter and offended.

Ephesians 4:32 And be ye KIND one to another, TENDERHEARTED, FORGIVING one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. LOVE DOES NOT ENVY

We have to learn how to handle jealousy, because if we don’t we will become so possessive, that you will not give your loved one any space to develop or to live in. We all are individual although connected with love to one and another. If you allow possessiveness you will soon find that you envy time or money your loved one spends that does not involve you. Possessiveness will open you to control your loved ones. This is very selfish and we have to get rid of this. Jealousy is like a small baboon on your shoulder if you feed it, it will grow. If you test yourself and find you envy, take notice, this is a warning that you are walking in the flesh.

1 Corinthians 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? IT DOES NOT BOAST

I have done this many times and it took me a time to quit boosting. I used to stretch the truth just a little bit more to make me looks good. This on the other hand made my friend Rina, with whom I am praying for over 17 years, feel inferior. I did not even notice that I was stepping on her until someone else did the same to me, then I understood this good. To stretch the truth or to tell a whole untruthful story, to make yourself looks good is bragging and it shows that you have a problem with who you are.

James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
IT DOES NOT SULK

All women knows the ‘power of sulking’ if you find that you still use sulking to get your wills and ways, then its time that your eyes opened and see that you are busy with controlling. Sulking is the same as ‘be in a huff’ or to ‘feel sorry for yourself’. This is to have empathy with your own flesh and so fleshly. If you see this pattern in your live know that you have to get rid of pity party.

Sulking is not always used as a ‘tool’ to control, but sometimes we sulk because we took offence. If someone doing something bad to you, make a choice, not to be offended, it’s not easy but if you won’t, you will find yourself behind bars. Captured in your own misery, because THE OFFENDED PERSON will DEFEND his/her rights to stay in sorrow. They will cuddle the feeling of feeling sorry for themselves. Ask me, I know ALL about it because I was THERE (many times).

Proverbs 18:19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
We can really come to a place where we choose not to be offended if someone offends us. Love the law of God and you will overcome.

Psalms 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. LOVE DOES NOT BEHAVE RUDE

Rudeness and disrespect walk hand in hand. I know that when someone is rude towards us, we take offence. To treat someone with respect is the genuine concern for people in their need to be loved, accepted, and treated with dignity no matter in what state of sin.

We need to be careful not to treat people rude so that you be come a stumbling block in there life’s.

Matthew 18:7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
IT IS NOT SELF-SEEKING

This is a real tough one, because we all love ourselves but to submit with humbleness before God, in the face of personal insult and damage, to turn into calmness and to be not offended and put yourself in the shoes of the other person who is harming you. Not to seek my will and ways but to think about my brother or sister and to do what they need, even if it cost us. We have to change from being self-centered, to be God-centered.
Jesus set for us an example when He prayed ‘Not my will’

Luke 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done
IT IS NOT EASILY ANGERED

This really needs practice because anger doesn’t have to rule over you, you can rule over anger. Annoyance, irritation, and antagonism are all part of anger. We as Christians do get angry but we are not allow to sin in our anger, nor are we allowed went to bed and sleeping while angry.

Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Proverbs 16:32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Romans 13:10

Ecclesiastes 7:9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

LOVE KEEPS NO RECORD OF WRONGS.

We all have been into arguments and at a certain point all the ‘dead horses' get dug back up to be kicked again. This is wrong we are as Christians not allowed keeping a track record of all the wrongs done to us. If we find that during an argument, we do this, we can know that we have not forgiven whole heartily. Sometimes there is still resentment, sometimes hurtful feelings, but with hurtful feelings we make a choice not to feel that way anymore, we have to open the prison doors and to step out free. Forgiveness is the starting process of our healing. If in an argument we may find or a desire to hurt the other person and we just have to resist this feeling. To feel that way is ok but to react on your feelings is a mess. Remember always, after a few days there will be a cleaning up act and it’s not nice to clean out your own mess. The resentment that you will feel for yourself is not worthy that short moment you do the hurting.

REJOICE NOT IN WICKEDNESS, BUT REJOICES IN THE TRUTH.

A woman came one day to me for prayer, her fiancé moved in with someone else and she was heart broken. While sobbing she asked me to please pray that God will make this guy so unhappy so that she can be happy. Well this sums this up beautifully. We cannot be glad in the downfall of our loved ones. I know sometimes, hurt make us feels that way, but it’s wrong. We have to stay on our knees when bad things happen to our enemies; there is great power in our prayers for our enemies. We enjoys rather in the truth that God sent Jesus do die for our enemies as well and that Jesus did paid the price, its all up to our enemies if they are going to accept this awesome gift and that is what we pray for.

ALWAYS PROTECTS

If our loved ones sins, then we have to help them up and cover their sins. This does not mean that you go lying, but means that you don’t start to gossip about it. You go to God in prayer and intercede for your loved one until you see this sin in his/her live no more. You don’t go to your loved one and tries to convict them; you are not allowed to do the Holy Spirits work.

1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
ALWAYS BELIEVES AND TRUST

To love is to trust and to trust is to believe. I don’t say believe every word that comes out the mouth of your loved ones but believe in them, see their potential and motivate them to go for it. Always encourage your loved ones to move in Gods direction.

ALWAYS HOPES

Live next to your love one with high expectation. Let your loved one knows your hopes are invested in his/her lives. Love expects good things to happen. Hope is positive, and is always on the look out for more, better and excellent growth in Christ.

1 John 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. ALWAYS PRESEVERE

Love is something that continues. Love does not come to a stop all of a sudden. We Christians does not have a on and off switch. We cannot love one day and the next day we ‘fall out of love’ it’s impossible. We have to preserver in love. It may not be always easy, especially in marriage but we have to stand our ground. Love is no run away and divorce is no option. If things do not work out after a few years of marriage, know that its time to persevere.

If you are divorced, please don’t take offence. God hates divorce but He loves the people. The act of divorce brings much pain to the couple and children and I believe that is why God hates divorce. If you are divorced know that God loves you, He does not judge you because the price is been paid.

LOVE NEVER FAILS – Yes, Jesus You showed us an excellent example of love .
 

Gerry

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Oh My! Alta!

I am a man with a ton of love in my heart, and a man of strong emotion, yet rarely do I see a post that moves me to tears.

I have read this post 4 times now and it touches me in a special way each time. Ever go to Church and it seems like the preacher is speaking directly to you? Well that is what this feels like.

It is as if God is speaking to me through you and I am under conviction even as I write. I would love to reply to this post, point by point, but that would make the reply longer than the post.

Perhaps I will yet do that but through seperate posts.

I will say this now, this post is anointed and one of the best works I have seen by you. I have always enjoyed and respected your work, because it is clear it comes from a heart of love.

But I have grown to admire and respect you personally as well. I find it interesting that you have quoted a scripture in this very work that is applicable and honors you in your service to Jesus!

Proverbs 31:26: "She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the LAW OF KINDNESS."

As I watch and read your posts in this forum, I see you growing daily in Wisdom, and there is nothing but kindness in your words.

You are a credit to your faith and your actions not only set an example for others, but bring honor to your Saviour as well.

May God continue to pour out wisdom on you and may you ever grow in His love!

Thanks for being His instrument to speak to me!
 
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Gerry

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Is love kind only part time? Is love kind ONLY when your loved ones treat you good and with respect? NO. I believe kindness is a ‘fulltime job’; you have to be kind with people when they treat you bad. There is a LAW OF KINDNESS and for a time I was pondering on this. Law is the same as rules, commandments or regulations. All God’s rules are made to protect us. This is not a law written on our hearts its in our tongues – we have to speak kindness.

Proverbs 31:26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the LAW OF KINDNESS.

Amen! There are many Laws we casually overlook everyday. Like the one in Romans that says: "I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me."

We often forget about that law too, and wonder what went wrong when we are busy doing good, and everthing seems to go wrong!

But this Law of Kindness is one we all should desire to be on working terms with.
 
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Gerry

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Originally posted by altya

Because we aim to be like Jesus we are obligated to act as He did. The law of kindness requires us to be kind to one and another, to our enemies to those who are unthankful and to the evil people. There is also no such thing as TIME OUT. You have to be kind, ALL THE TIME and to ALL PEOPLE. THIS IS THE LAW OF KINDNESS.


This is more than a sermon outline. It is a sermon in itself!
 
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Kindness is to have compassion, to show sympathy, to act in gentleness and generosity, to let your deeds show thoughtfulness. Think of other people before you take care of your own feelings.

I never know all this about kindness.


Patient is to be tolerant of all people weaknesses and limitations. We need to give people space to develop.

This is so true.

Possessiveness will open you to control your loved ones

I have seen this happend a few times.

All women knows the ‘power of sulking’

Men too.

Hope is positive, and is always on the look out for more, better and excellent growth in Christ.

Wow,

Altya, This is one of the best teaching I ever saw in connection with the Agape Love .
 
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JohnR7

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>>Law is the same as rules, commandments or regulations.

It is also a covenant between us and God. If we do our part, we can be sure that God will do His part.

>>The law of kindness requires us to be kind to one and another, to our enemies to those who are unthankful and to the evil people.

It also requires us to show people the same mercy, grace and forgiveness that God shows us. Just as the Bible is abundantly clear, that if we do not forgive, then neither does God forgive us.

>>Patient’s compels us to walk in forgiveness no matter what people do to you.

We do not have to worry about what people may or maynot do to us. God's promise to us is that: all things work out for the best, for those who love God, and for those who are called according to His purpose. So that no weapon formed against us can prosper. Or as Joseph said to his brothers: you meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.

>>Sulking is not always used as a ‘tool’ to control

Here is one that deserves it's own post. The idea is that GOD is to be in control, not us. But I think we all to some degress try to manipulate others in order to gratify the desires of our flesh.

1 Cor. 3:3b For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

Galatians 5:19-21
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, [20] Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, [21] Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
 
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JohnR7

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>>We have to change from being self-centered, to be God-centered.

Awesome. This sort of reminds me of during the dark ages, when somehow they got the idea that the universe revolved around the earth, or "us".

Isaiah 55:6-9
Seek the Lord while He may be found,
Call upon Him while He is near.
[7] Let the wicked forsake his way,
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
Let him return to the Lord,
And He will have mercy on him;
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon.

[8] "For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord.
[9] "For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:10-11
"For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
[11] So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
 
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Gerry

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Love is something that continues. Love does not come to a stop all of a sudden. We Christians does not have a on and off switch. We cannot love one day and the next day we ‘fall out of love’ it’s impossible. We have to preserver in love...

As with anything good, ther are always "knock off" "rip offs" and counterfiets and imitations of all kinds.

Neverthe less LOVE is the substance of creation. REAL Love is therefore eternal and indestructible.

It is sad that two people in love will often tear each other apart and rip to shreds a most precious love. Many times they part and live thier live as an empty shell because the person they need to make them Whole is gone.
They therefore are limited as a handicapped person. Half of them is missing. They therefore miss out on so many blessings and are able to accomplish "nothing" for Christ in comparison to what they could have accomplished as a unified Spiritual Warrrior.
 
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Paul analyzed this love for us in 1 Cor. 13:1-8. Let us briefly note inspiration's analysis of love. (1) "Love suffereth long." Love is longsuffering, patient, and forbearing. It is not irritable. It graciously bears injuries. It exhibits a disposition to bear -- to bear long, to endure when others speak evil of you and mistreat you. (2) Further, Paul says love "is kind." It returns good for evil (Rom. 12:17-21). Love is good-natured, gentle and affectionate. Even under provocations, it is gentle and considerate.

(3) "Love envieth not." Envying is defined as "a feeling of discontent and ill will because of another's advantages, possessions, etc.; resentful dislike of another who has something desirable." Love does not envy others their happiness, their endowments, their reputation, their wealth or their success. Envy was a contributing factor in the death of Jesus (Matt. 27:18). Envy proceeds from Satan (James 3:14-16).

(4) "Love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up." Love does not show itself off. It does not perform for the sake of applause, but rather (as was perfectly demonstrated in the sacrifice of Christ for man), because love seeks the welfare of others. Love is produced in our hearts as we seek to reciprocate the love of Christ. "For the love of Christ constraineth us" (2 Cor. 5:14). Love recognizes that all gifts and abilities come from God and, therefore, uses them in all gratitude and humility in his service.

(5) Love "doth not behave itself unseemly." Love never acts improperly. As Christians we are to learn how to behave in the church: "But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth" (1 Tim. 3:15).

(6) Love "seeketh not its own." Love forgets self in service to others. Paul instructs us "to remember the words of the Lord, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35).

(7) Love "is not provoked." Love is not irritable. If this characteristic of love were `practiced on a wide scale think what gratifying results would bless the church, the home, and the nation!

(8) Love "taketh not account of evil." Love is neither suspicious nor retentive. Someone has well said that "love writes our personal wrongs in ashes, or in water." Love does not take account of evil done with the view of settling the account.

(9) Love "rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth." Love does not rejoice when others do wrong; it does not compromise with error; but it is saddened by the vices of men. Love rejoices when truth prevails. It rejoices at the virtues of others. Love is for the truth anywhere and everywhere.

(10) Love "beareth all things." Love does not complain at the troubles and vexations of life. Love is never soft or compromising, but it is willing to "bear" and "forbear" (Gal. 6:2,5; Eph. 4:2).
 
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