He Loves You, Do You Love Me? (Yes or No? Pick one.)

 

"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God. But every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.  You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.  They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.  We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us.  This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.  Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.  Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God." I John 4:1-6

 

 

I love the way the Apostle John keeps referring to his audience (us) in such loving and fatherly terms.  Twice in this chapter he says "dear friends"  and once he says "dear children".  The book of I John is littered with such affectionate terminology throughout.  The letter has a tender and friendly undertone.  This is important because he is constantly teaching on what love is and how we should love.  

 

What are some characteristics of "loving people"?   One of the chief characteristics is a kind tone of voice, as demonstrated by John.  People who are sharp, cutting, judgmental and rude are the opposite of loving.  A loving tone and content is all about considering how the recipient will respond to the message and what they will feel about the message.  A sharp rebuke can be given in love, if it is needed, and if our intention is toward restoring or helping someone. We can say for instance, "Ashley, I noticed you seem to be going through a hard time, but I have noticed lately that you are very impatient with the kids.   Is there something going on that I could help with?"  See how much kinder that is than "Ashley, what is your problem?  You've been nothing but a jerk for a week!"  The first example recognizes there may be an underlying cause that require some  understanding or help to overcome.  The second example appears merely to be an exercise in "putting someone in their place."  A motive that seldom brings a good result.  No matter what we have to say, we should strive to say it in a loving and affirming matter.  People matter!  They matter to God and they have to matter to us as well.

 

God is love.  Love originates with him and flows through him. If we are going to love anyone (with true, selfless love) it will occur because we allow God to love them through us. We become a channel of his unconditional love and affection.  Only through him, can we love the unlovely.  The vengeful, hateful, spiteful, patronizing people we encounter are beyond our scope of loving. Our flesh seems capable of loving only those who love us- or at least those who treat us nicely.  (Or perhaps our children.)   But the love that we give, with no expectation of return, is born of God.

 

The earmark of a true Christian is love. A loving attitude, loving words, and a desire to lead others to Jesus is what love is about. Being God's hands extended, his feet going forth and his mouthpiece to the hurting, is our job description in this world.  To carry it out effectively requires mega doses of love.

 

I have found over and over in my own  life, that when my "knowing God" is weak, my loving people follows suit.  If I neglect prayer time, if I fail to be in the Word, if I choose not to follow its commands, my behavior takes a nosedive.  Want to be a lover of people?  Get to know, really know God.  Loving will be a natural by-product of that.

 

 

 Dear Lord, work in my heart, purge me of evil, bitterness and selfishness.  Help me to be a beacon light of love in a sin-darkened world.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

 

Sherri