GET TOGETHER – THE GIFT OF LOVE

1 Cor 13:1-3 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body [ato be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

God is a God of order. I often think about how that He put Chapter 13 in between Chapter 12 and Chapter 14 in 1 Corinthians. What a wonderful thing that it is that God has given us the gifts of the Holy Spirit to serve Him with in the Kingdom. It is my belief that 1 Corinthians 13 is given to help us to know why that God has given us the gifts of the Holy Spirit to serve Him. We must be a people that love in order to serve God faithfully.

I realize that I have Brothers and Sisters in Christ that may have a different view than I do concerning the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I have had the honor at various times and in various ways to serve with my Brothers and Sisters in Christ that may differ with me on the operation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. When the Lord calls me to serve with these dear brothers and sisters, we choose to focus on the essentials of the faith that we agree on. The Holy Spirit always shows up when we keep our eyes on Jesus in a very special way. So I pray that no matter what your view may be on the operation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit that in some way this message will help you to walk in a more loving way to those within the Body of Christ, your neighbors, your friends, your family, and yes even your enemies.

We live in a world that is very hostile right now. We live in a world that needs the love of God so badly. There is not enough space here to say all that could be said about the love of God. Nor in there space enough to list all of the places, situations, and circumstances where people need to know and experience the love of God.

In this Christmas season I pray that we will remember and celebrate when love came down from Heaven. The Bible tells us in Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Think about that God loved the Romans that would nail Jesus to the cross. God loved the Pharisees and religious leaders that demanded that they crucify Him.

God loved a young virgin enough to use her to carry His Son in her womb. God loved Joseph enough to allow Him to be the earthly father to His only Begotten Son. God loved lepers, tax collectors, harlots, and other sinners enough to give each the opportunity to receive His only begotten Son as their Lord and Savior. God loved us enough while we were and while some may be still living in a sinful condition to save and to give eternal life to.

Jesus the perfect gift and example of love has commanded us to love. Here are just a few verses where He taught about who to love:

Mt 5:43,44 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, Mt 5:46 “For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? Mt 22:37 Jesus said to him,” ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. ‘Mt 22:39 “And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

Which leads me to the last verse in 1Corinthians 13: 1Co 13:13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (NKJV). Here the Apostle Paul talks about the abiding gifts of the Holy Spirit. These gifts abide in every believer in Jesus Christ. We need to draw on that abiding gift of love. We need to draw on that gift in order for the world to see Christ in us. We need to draw on that gift so that the Holy Spirit can use us to bring people to Christ. We need to draw on that gift in order to become more like Jesus.

Let Us Pray

Lord Jesus you came down out of Heaven and were met with a manger to sleep in. You had to avoid being killed by King Herod. You were despised and rejected by men. And yet You loved the world so much that You were willing to go to the cross and die for our sins. Lord give us that Holy love. Give us that love that helps us to love like You loved.

In Jesus Name

Amen

We love you all. May every heart prepare Him room this season.

Your Friend/Kinfolk

Preston