1 Corinthians 16:14 (KJV)
Let all your things be done with charity.
From our anchored Scripture, Paul wanted to emphasize and remind the Corinthians and today’s Christians that everything they did and do must be done in love. Love is the foundation on which our lives as believers are built, enabling us to thrive. As believers, we are to love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring one another. We are to be completely humble, gentle, and patient, bearing one another in love. We are always to work together as one body, inseparably joined to build one another up in a spirit of unity and love. Through love, Christians can demonstrate the prevailing attitude toward one another and all humankind. Knowing God means loving as He does. Therefore, let us confidently continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. God manifested His love for us by sending His only Son into the world so we might have eternal life through Him. This is real love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Since God loved us that much, we ought to confidently love each other. Although no one has ever seen God, if we confidently love each other, God lives in us, and His love is brought to full expression in us.
In his response to the scribes, Jesus boldly commanded them to love their neighbor as themselves. The Bible also makes it very clear that love is revealed through action, especially what is done in the interest of others. If we love our neighbors, we won’t lie about them, cheat them, sleep with their wives or husbands, or hate or think evil about them. We cannot claim to be walking in love when we defile our neighbor’s daughter or go to the extent of killing other people. If we love, we can never be identified with envy, hatred, pride, selfishness, or wickedness. Love will not allow us to do so. Many people lie and do all manner of things against others. How will we feel if someone lies about us just to destroy our reputation? Many have filled their lives with gossiping and talebearing, tearing families and churches apart. The collateral damage caused can sometimes not be quantifiable. How would we feel if someone were interested in our wife or husband or trying everything to move us out of our home? How would we feel if someone stole from us or cheated us out of business? Many have committed suicide because of the actions of others. Love towards our neighbors is evidence of our love for God, so let the love of God fill our hearts. Colossians 3:14 says, “And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfection.”
Beloved, as God has loved and treated you as His own, LOVE others and live with the consideration of the feelings and welfare of others. Let’s go beyond mere words and demonstrate your love for each other through your actions. Every action you take should be motivated by love, for even good deeds lose their value without love. Your love for God and humanity is your most disarming weapon against your real enemy, satan. Whether you interact with fellow believers, non-believers, friends, enemies, or strangers, your conduct should reflect this love. Love should saturate every aspect of your life; whether you speak, act, or think, let it be done in love. Be conscious of the impact of your actions on others; that is, imagine yourself in other’s shoes. Treat everyone in your life fairly like your own and love as much as you live. Be kind, love more, and not be wise in your own eyes, for you do not know what tomorrow holds for you. You should see others higher than you see yourself, thus doing things in humility and not out of self-aggrandizement. Remember, everything you do should be done with an unqualified, sacrificial, God-like love that does not look at how you benefit but how the recipient of your deeds benefits.
O Lord, grant me strength to be filled with Your love so I can quickly love others and bring glory to Your Name in Jesus’ Name.