1 John 4:7 KJV
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
For every genuine article, there will always be a cheap imitation. For everything that God originates, be sure that the devil will strive to make and promote a close version, but with his devilish imprint. This position is the same as it relates to the topic of love. The world has its many definitions and concepts of love, and by social media and the Internet, these world versions are quite popular. They are easy to find and easy to follow, because they do not demand much from you. It tells you to take what you want, when you want it, and however you want it. The world has no standards, limits or measuring indices when it comes to the things of God, so I have to be careful of the things that I pursue. Do I know what the right versions of my pursuits and priorities are? Do I know God for myself, and able to discern what His will and purpose and version for life are?
The charge is for us to love one another. It is easy to claim to love God, because God will not come down immediately and confirm or deny your claim, but the proof of my love for the invisible God will be established by the fruit of my love for all of God's visible people.
I really need to know the right version, so I can pursue the right version. If love is indeed from God, only by walking with Him, seeking to know more of Him, and being willing to obey Him at all times, will I get to know true love, the kind that is of and from God. Love, from God's perspective, sees people as the image of God, to be nurtured, not as objects to be used, abused or vilified. Love, from God's perspective, seeks to use every advantage to promote peace, instill hope, msd offer help wherever and whenever it is needed. The alternative is the version of 'love' that seeks to take advantage of the vulnerable and the needy.
I can make whatever claims I want, but the fruit of my life will be determined by the focus and commitment of my daily activities. Love is of God, not the cheap imitations the world wants to promote as the real deal. If all I get is what I want, not caring if the other person survives, that is not love, from God's perspective. If I submit to God, and allow Him work in and through me that which is His perfect will, then I can flow out with the love that reflects His person, identity, mission and impact. Outside of Him, there is no help. Apart from Him, I cannot please God. I cannot take from the resources He has NOT provided in order to live by the standards He HAS laid down. Don't be deceived by the schemes of the devil, and do not settle for his lies. God has provided all that I need for life and Godliness, and He will continue to hold my hand, lead and guide me daily, until I appear with Him in glory. Until then, I rely on His grace to help me love, in line with His will. God's time of favour is here.
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