We know that we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren. He who does not love His brother abides in death (1 John 3:14). The last two days, I’ve talked about the life of God, Zoe, which is deposited in the believer when born again. This life changes a person’s character!
The first manifestation of the life of God is love. Not the natural human love that everybody has (Phileo is the Greek word), but Agape, which is unconditional, self-sacrificial love. This agape is a direct manifestation of Zoe. Only believers have access to this love. It is to be the trademark of Christianity. Jesus said that all would know that we’re His disciples by this Agape. You’ll find that as you grow spiritually, this love will dominate you more and more. You see, there is no spiritual growth without growth in love. God is love, and the closer and more intimate you get to Him, the more this love nature will manifest in your life. Walking in the Spirit is really letting this love nature rule daily life. From the time you get up in the morning, until the time you go to bed, your success with God today will be determined by how much you allow this love nature to rule your being. Agape will mellow out the harshness that has crept into life. It will enable you to love the unlovely and selfish. It will enable you to overlook the petty faults of others. This Agape love will cure friction in the home, and will enable you to walk in peace with all people. It is the ultimate social grace. Above all you do today, make it a goal to be love led, love dominated. You’ll stand out in he crowd if you do. People will be drawn to this love in you. They will ask questions. And the Father will bless them through you. I’m going to end with a quote from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, which gives a fine description of the love nature of the Father. Take a moment to refresh your mind as to the attributes of this God nature. Let it loose today! Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end] (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).
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