A Nugget from New Life Network
(by Dr Larry Ollison)
Scripture for the Day (February 1, 2018)
He who does not love does not know God, for God is love (1 John 4:8).
E.W. Kenyon, a well-known nineteenth century evangelist, pastor, and author, said that if a person walks in love, the devil cannot touch him. The devil still comes against Christians, but he cannot harm us if we are walking in love.
Love is the greatest power in the universe. Love will keep you in obedience and love will keep you from sin. According to Romans 13:10, love will never do harm to a neighbor and love is the fulfillment of the law. Love is the law of liberty. Love will keep you from being self-centered and perfect love will cast out fear.
One thing that has always surprised me is the attitude of some Christians when they are in public places of business. A few weeks ago, I was having lunch with another minister. As the waitress was serving the food, this minister noticed that something on his plate was not exactly the way it was ordered. To me, it was a very minor thing and most people would never have mentioned it. But this man started making it into a major complaint. I was embarrassed and as we left the restaurant, I went back inside and apologized to the waitress for my friend’s rudeness and gave her an extra tip.
Jesus said that the world would know that we were Christians by the love that we have for each other (John 13:35). But too many feel this scripture says they will know we are Christians because of the love we have in the church. Romans 12:9 says, “Let love be without hypocrisy.” That means our love is not restricted to the church, but is a way of life and is the essence of God that pours out of everything we do. John 3:16 tells us that God loved the world so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, and He showed His love to the lost world through Jesus. Jesus ascended and took His place as the Head of the Church, and He now works through His body to show His love on this earth.
We are the body of Christ, and now God loves the world through us. Let’s live and show the true nature of God. God is love.
And now there remain: faith [abiding trust in God and His promises], hope [confident expectation of eternal salvation], love [unselfish love for others growing out of God’s love for me], these three [the choicest graces]; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13)
