“Do Everything in Love”

2/25/14

Regardless of what version of the Bible you read whether it is KJV, NIV, AMP, ESV and countless others 1 Corinthians 16:14 all say the same “Do everything in Love.”

As members of the family of CHRIST, the Body of CHRIST, we cross over from the human family ties that we have with our brothers, sisters, etc. to a spiritual tie with our CHRISTIAN siblings.  The human ties that we have do not compare to or define the relationship that we have with our CHRISTIAN family.  Our spiritual relationship with one another bears a greater responsibility bound by New Testament teachings.

This very verse was among the foundational teachings on our relationship to one another as believers.  This verse prompts us, and should compel us to strive towards CHRISTLIKENESS in how we live, act and respond to those whom GOD has joined us to.  In our doing everything in love we would be presenting a true, mirrored reflection of CHRIST in every way including HIS love for all.  What does it mean to be CHRISTLIKE?  It means to live our lives, watch our actions, make wise decisions and be considerate in our daily interactions with one another as HE lived.  And this does not stop with us loving our own and other believers but this reflection of CHRIST extends to the non-believer as well. 

There is a void in the hearts of man and a sense of loss because there is a lack of CHRISTLIKE-NESS in the world.  Evil has taken hold of the hearts and spirits of many.  It was thought that this verse was one of the keys to resolving the problems of the people as well as the problems of the early church.  Doing everything in love can change our immediate surroundings and could have global impact today.

If we look around us we may feel the act of loving one another has become almost non-existent.  It has become lost in the cares of the world replaced by bullying, hate and disconnect.  The more technology that is developed the more disconnected we become socially.   E-mail, texting, phone answering systems has separated us from one another.  Love cannot be seen, felt or experienced in these technological replacements yet we chose these forms of communication over face to face interactions. 

Doing everything in love is the pinnacle of service to GOD without reservation and it is an unselfish act of putting someone else before ourselves.  But how many of us are willing to do  everything in love?  Doing everything in love is a concept that could easily be adopted by each of us but it takes a willing heart, a teachable spirit, belief and transformation into the image of CHRIST.   GOD in-

cluded the word love in HIS word because GOD knew the significance of doing everything in love and HE also knew it is something that could be achieved by faith.  After all HE is love and because of HIS love HE gave HIS SON.  HE took love to the highest level imaginable.

What would doing everything in love look like today?  It might look like no physical or verbal abuse of others. Or not deceiving those we know us and love us.  Or not cheating anyone out of anything or taking something from someone that does not belong to us.  Or not waiting for our sister or brother in CHRIST to ask for something that we already know they need.   Or not back biting to climb up the corporate ladder or the church leadership ladder.  Or freely feeding, clothing and sheltering the homeless.  Or being a mentor and encouragement to a single mother or a teenager.  Or visiting a senior or sick and shut-in individual in their home.  Or going to the local nursing homes spending time in the presence of those who paved the way for many of the comforts that we have today.  There were prices paid for each us in one way or another by someone, even by those who have prayed for us during our different seasons.

The negative incidents and activities that we are seeing all around us have gone from being isolated incidents to everyday occurrences.  If evil can show itself daily, why can’t love?  If we are to love like CHRIST did per HIS command it will be by choice.  To love like CHRIST requires action that is committed or omitted by our own will.  I am always looking for that happy, joyful ending; I am a hopeful believer and a kid at heart and cannot help myself.  Therefore, I chose to believe that WE ALL CAN DO EVERYTHING IN LOVE and cancel out some of the evil that is around us. 

As CHRISTIANS, love defines us.  Love is in essence the foundation of what CHRISTIANITY is.  CHRIST HIMSELF said in John 13:35 (NIV) “By this everyone will know you are MY disciples, if you love one another.”  Paul describes just how important love is.  He states in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (NIV) 1 “If I speak in tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or cymbal 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast but do not give love, I gain nothing.”

Love is mentioned in the Bible more than 500 times close to 700 times depending on which version of the Bible you are reading.  In the KJV, it is mentioned 508 times in the Old Testament and 697 times in the New Testament.

IF NOT NOW, WHEN?  WHEN DO WE BEGIN TO TAKE THE LOVE WE HAVE RECEIVED SERIOUSLY AND BEGIN TO DO EVERYTHING (IN THE NAME OF JESUS) IN LOVE?  BECAUSE BY GOD’S STANDARDS WITHOUT LOVE WE ARE NOTHING AND WE GAIN NOTHING, LEAVING THE VERY LIFE WE HAVE LIVED ONE LIVED IN VAIN.

GOD BLESS