THE TEST OF LOVE

We so often take this time at the beginning of a new year to make resolutions that we often fail to keep, but wouldn't it be a perfect time to reflect on: "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith, test yourselves....?" (II Corinthians 13:5) We can become so comfortable in our journey sometimes, that we may not realize that we have strayed from the straight path. After all, aren't we doing better than most out there? We must never fall into the trap of comparing ourselves with others, but must always measure our walk with the Word of God. Can we walk through these scriptures, ask ourselves if we meet the standard of the Word, and if not, can we not ask forgiveness and make sure that we are truly in love with our God and Savior and in love with our neighbor? May the Lord open our eyes and our hearts so that we may stay pure before Him and powerful in building the Kingdom. Command to Love: Jesus said, "Honor your father and mother and love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 10:19) Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang (hinge) on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-40) Having been asked which was the Greatest Commanment, Jesus answered, "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no greater commandment than these." (Mark 12:29-31) Jesus said. "A new commandment I give to you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (John 13:24) Evidence of Love: Jesus said: "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35) Jesus said, "If you love Me, Keep My commandments." (John 14:15) Jesus said, "Whoever has and obeys them, he is the one who loves Me." (John 14:21) Jesus said, "If anyone loves Me, he will obey my teaching, (My words). My Father will love him and We will come to him and make Our Home with him." (John 14:23) God demonstrated His own love for us in this: While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) Love does no harm (does not kill, does not commit adultery, does not steal, does not lie, does not covet, etc) to it's neighbors. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the Law. (Romans 13:19) Love is patient; love is kind; love does not envy; does not boast; is not proud. It is not rude; love is not self-seeking; it is not easily angered; it keeps no record of wrong. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails....(I Corinthians 13:4-8a) The fruit of the Spirit (dwelling in you) is Love, (which produces) joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) Test of Love: Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbors and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven...." (Matthew 5:43-35) Jesus said, "But I tell you who hear me, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (Luke 6:-27-28) Jesus said, "He who does not love Me will not obey My teaching (My words)." (John 14:28) Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly beloved children, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us...(Ephesians 5:1-2) If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a noisy gong and a clanging symbol. (I Corinthians 13:1) He who would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. (I Peter 3:10-11) Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (I John 2:15) We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. ( I John 3:14) This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us, (therefore) we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. ( I John 3:16) If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? (I John 3:17) Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God and everyone that loves is born of God and knows God. He that loves not, does not know God, for God is love. ( I John 4:7-8) The Ultimate Test of Love: When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified Him. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 213:33-34) Jesus said, "Greater love has no man than this, that He lay down His life for His friends. You are My friends, if you do what I command." (John 15:13-14) Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us. (I John 4:11-12) Jesus told us to love one another as He has loved us and that same love is what the world needs to see and experience from us. We are Jesus to this world......Let's love them like Jesus!