THIS IS THE INDICATOR OF TRUE SPIRITUALITY
Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi
John 15:13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
There is remarkable difference between what the world refers to as love and what the word of God says love is. Ironically, what is considered as love for self, community, group by the world is behind the chaos in the world today. More people perish as a result of this kind of love daily than any other reason globally.
Most wars are traceable to one person's attempt at demonstrating affection for another .In Judges 15 , Samson declared war against the Philistines because of his love for his wife.Most men live to impress a woman sometimes with dangerous consequences. Adam ate the forbidden fruit in other to please Eve at the detriment of a wholesome relationship with God Gen.3:12 "And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat." love for a person with no passion for God's word could make you turn against God.
In the absence of love for God's word , spouses tend to look up to their partners for emotional, physical and financial fulfillment and when this fails separation becomes imminent , James 4:1 AMP says " What leads to strife (discord and feuds) and how do conflicts (quarrels and fightings) originate among you? Do they not arise from your sensual desires that are ever warring in your bodily members?" Until the concept of seeing one's spouse as source instead of God is broken, marital bliss would remain a mirage,this is the main reason behind the fear to commit to a marriage relationship by most men resulting in an ever increasing number of single mothers. It was predicted as a common feature in the last days before Christ's return. Isaiah 4:1 Mssg says"That will be the day when seven women will gang up on one man, saying, "We'll take care of ourselves, get our own food and clothes. Just give us a child. Make us pregnant so we'll have something to live for!" Love cannot function in the absence of faith which comes by hearing God’s word early each day. One cannot truly love a spouse without faith in God's word (Hosea4 :6) true love outside God's word is inconceivable .
Love places a demand on the lover that can only be met through faith, without which those who depend on us soon become a painful liability.Love requires living a sacrificial life for one's partner and family, it is because of the inherent risk involved in making such a degree of commitment that we need wisdom which can only be obtained through God's word. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8AMP" 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.."this is the commitment we make whenever we say 'I love you' and the true measure of one's spirituality.
It was the driving force behind Jesus' earthly ministry ,Matthew 14:14 says "Jesus...was moved with compassion..." We should be guided by the law of love stated in Luke 6:31 AMP "And as you would like and desire that men would do to you, do exactly so to them" Treat others as you want to be treated .This law requires wisdom to function, for instance, a drug addict quoting this law as bases for regular supply of drugs could be detrimental to all concerned. When the scriptures speaks of sacrifice it isn't for all and sundry but for the godly 1 John 3:16 AMP "By this we come to know (progressively to recognize, to perceive, to understand) the [essential] love: that He laid down His [own] life for us; and we ought to lay [our] lives down for [those who are our] brothers [in Him]."
Love grows progressively ; a lot of Christians have given up on love because they failed to understand that there are levels of commitment in relationships ,our attitude towards people determines the quality of fellowship we enjoy, Luke 6:38 AMP "Give, and [gifts] will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will they pour into [the pouch formed by] the bosom [of your robe and used as a bag]. For with the measure you deal out [with the measure you use when you confer benefits on others], it will be measured back to you." again in 2 Corinthians 9:6 AMP "[Remember] this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings." Respond in love to persons according to their degree of investments in your life ;wisdom is needed to effectively work in love. Love without wisdom is an invitation to anarchy and death ( Philippians 2:30)
True love sees the shortcomings in a partner as a reflection of things we desire changed in our lives .We respond to stimuli therefore, a good response from one's partner is a confirmation of a good stimuli. True love doesn't wait for people to change before necessary changes are made rather through the intensity of our love -driven actions over a long period of time, people are propelled to change. True love is concerned about the well-being of others (Philippians 2:4) and is devoted to the course of caring for others as a duty to the lord (Matthew 25:35-40).It abhors selfishness (1John 3:17) and it is also cares for those who hate us ( Matthew 5:43-47,luke6:27-30,32-35) .
As you receive Jesus Christ as you lord and saviour and read this now receive grace to be an expression of true love and great faith in Jesus name.
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