Paul told them there is the most excellent way” (1 Corinthians 12:31 NIV) …the way of love. He explained that even if they were highly spiritual in the things of God, but lacked expressing God’s love, they would be nothing more than a noise – they would have no positive impact or influence on themselves or the community. The church of Jesus Christ cannot impact the world effectively without the love of God being displayed in full force.
Jesus said that the greatest love of all, is a love that sacrifices all.
“This great love is demonstrated when a person sacrifices his life for his friends” (John 15:13 TPT).
The Lord Jesus proved these words by sacrificing his own life for the sin of mankind, because of His love for people- even for those who rejected Him. The love of God is so powerful! What’s more is that we don’t have to rely on our limited “carnal love" supply to love people or even love ourselves. Romans 5:5 (TPT) says “…experience the endless love of God cascading into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who lives in us!”
We experience this love of God by our faith in Him. We express it to others by first believing that we have received it into our hearts and then by faith, allowing it to flow out of us, in order to see it manifest in our everyday lives. Paul said, “Three things will last forever – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13 NLT) … So above all else, let love be the beautiful prize for which you run” (1 Cor 13:13b TPT). What an exhortation to the Corinthian church and what an exhortation to those of us who are reading it today.
When a person makes a decision to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, the bible says that the love of God is shed abroad in their heart. Pray this prayer with me inviting Jesus to be Lord over your life and to enable his love to be shed abroad in your heart. Dear Heavenly Father, forgive me of my sin. Wash me and cleanse me with your precious blood. I believe that Jesus died for me and was resurrected on the third day and I declare Jesus, Lord over my life. Thank you for this love that you have shed abroad in my heart to enable me to live in a more excellent way. Let your love permeate every area of my life in Jesus name. Amen.
