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May 20, 2007
"Building My Relationships On Love"
It's All About Relationships—Part 6
1 John 4:7-8
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.
—1 John 4:7-8, 21
What our world says about love:
- Love is a feeling.
- Love is uncontrollable.
What God says about love:
- Love is a choice.
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
—Colossians 3:14
- Love is an action.
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
—1 John 3:18
How can I love others?
1. Come in contact with God's love.
I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts, living within you as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love; and may you be able to feel and understand, as all God's children should, how long, how wide, how deep, and how high his love really is; and to experience this love for yourselves.
—Ephesians 3:17-18 (TLB)
We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar...
—1 John 4:19-20
Real love relies on God as its enduring source of power!
2. Forgive others.
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
—Colossians 3:13
The consequences of unresolved anger:
- Distance from other people
- Distance from God
- Distance from myself
- Distance from maturity
Anger has the power to keep you miserable!
Real love accepts the reality of the past but lives beyond the blame game!
3. Think loving thoughts.
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
—Philippians 2:4-5
Real love realizes that if something is wrong, it is up to me to change my response and my mind-set.
Real love avoids extreme thoughts!
4. Put love into action.
But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
—Luke 6:27-28
Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love.
—Ephesians 4:2 (TLB)
It is easier to act your way into a feeling than it is to feel your way into an action.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self- seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
—1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Real love says the future = hope!
5. Anticipate the best.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
—1 Corinthians 13:7
Real love assumes things will get better!
You can rebuild your love!
...You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first...
—Revelation 2:4-5
- Remember—
- Repent—
- Redo—
Real love does not work to change or exchange a spouse!
Lifework
Marriages that are dead can be restored. Relationships that are dead can be restored, if you will follow Jesus' plan. Human love is not strong enough to weather the storms of life. Only God's love can do that. You need super-natural power. You need the power of the Holy Spirit in your life.
Real love relies on God as its enduring source of power!
Commit yourself to action!
- Prayer: Dear God,
- Help me to experience your love.
Help me to forgive those who hurt me.
Help me to think loving thoughts.
Help me to act in a loving way.
Help me to expect the best.
If you have never opened your life to Jesus Christ, open it to Him today! It is the only way you can build a lasting love.
We love because he first loved us.
—1 John 4:19