Are we operating in love or are we too busy? When people are busy with work and family life it can be stressful, and adding the holidays on top of that it is even harder to take the time to be kind and loving. We simply need to slow down a little in order to be kind.
As Christians we need to bear the fruit of the spirit. In Gal. 5:22-23 it says: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law (NKJ). The danger for each one of us it to think we are bearing the fruit of the spirit when we are not. Our actions will reveal the truth. In order to find out if one is bearing the fruit of the spirit just ask those who are close to you or live in the same house.
In relationships a person probably needs to be forgiven at least once a day. None of us are perfect and we will let others down. So in turn we will also need to forgive others. This is not an option as it says in Mat. 6:14-15 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (NKJ). If we want to have God’s forgiveness we will need to continuously forgive those around us.
Take a risk and love others, it is always worth it. Don’t fear getting hurt or offended, God will fill us with His love for others and also protect us in our relationships. He can give us wisdom on how to love others by showing us what they need and He will even help us to love the most unlovable people.
Kelly Bottomley, a good friend of mine, received a revelation from God about what love is: To observe, endure, listen, and value. It takes time to actually observe someone.
Many times we are going through life so weary that we don’t even observe those around us. The cries of the people are getting louder and louder and more and more desperate. It doesn’t take long to find someone in need. Most may appear to have it all together but if we took the time to look beyond appearances and really listened to those around us, we’d see how desperate they really are. These are missed opportunities to share the gospel.
Enduring with others in love is even harder to do than observe. How may times does one need another chance to do the right thing? It takes time, energy, and sometimes resources to endure people. Something the Lord Jesus Christ would do and we need to imitate Him.
Then to show value is going above and beyond just getting along with people or being tolerant. It is moving into acceptance and taking the time to listen to what people are really saying. Don’t we want to be heard and have a voice?
When we listen to others it is showing value. How are we valuing those in our families and in the work place? Do we acknowledge their strengths or are we only voicing their weaknesses? To love is to give value to the ones we care about so we are not taking them for granted.
The people in the United States of America need a revolution of God’s love now. So many people are hurting. The young and the old, the rich and the poor. No one is pain free, everyone needs God’s love.
So many families are hurting. We’ve all lost touch with how to be kind and loving. Our hearts are full of selfishness and greed that only God can remove. Those around us need a hero and Jesus Christ is that hero. Take the time this Christmas to share our hero with family and friends. Jesus will fill us up so we can love others.
May the God of love poor out His compassion on you and let the love He has spread throughout this nation as we extend that love to others. Remember the resources of God are unlimited. His agape love is unconditional and He will continue to give to us as we give of ourselves to others. Such joy can be had as we love and serve others. Freely we have received…freely give … God’s love is perfect, 100% pure.