Our Goal? LOVE

Loving all people is a Godly trait. For us, it's easy to love those we like and agree with..... but to love those we don't necessarily get along with is unfortunately a little harder thing for us to do.

For each of us to start and keep that attitude of love for all people, we all need to see others through God's perspective (having eternity in view). In order for us to maintain this divine love in our lives, we need to constantly keep focused on the Lord & have hearts that are sensitive and open to Him.

When I start each morning with prayer, reading the Bible and meditating on His Word, it gives me a new fresh perspective every day. We always encounter difficult people and difficult circumstances, however as in all things, I have to put my flesh behind me and ask the Lord to guard my tongue, my heart, and my words. I read a comment this morning that said, "Don't worry that children never listen to you. Worry that they are always watching you." Robert Fulghum. Not that we are to worry either, but to remember the world is watching us to see if we are who we say we are and if Jesus is really making a difference in our lives. They will know we are Christians by our love.

In order for me to be able to even begin to start with an attitude of love each day, I have to wrap myself around the One who brings me strength and courage; Jesus Christ. Just fill myself with the Word and spend quiet time talking to Him. It's amazing what that does to empower me to face the day. I teach young children and so many times during a day, even though I don't verbalize God's love that is in me, I show it to them through patience, kind words and understanding. During difficult times in our day, I often remind myself that I may be the only one in their life who expresses love to them. That helps me to show love to the unlovable, whether it's a child or a colleague. But, I must admit, I fall short sometimes.

Loving others...good. But my struggle is how do I accept perfect love. I am described in verse 18. I do fear therefore how do I perfect in love?

It is Gods love for us that we come into contact with the moment our eyes are open to a brand new day, so we as his children should make it our priority to keep an attitude of love for God our Father, our neighbours , our families and yes ourselves.God's love for us send his only son and our Lord and Saviour to die for us on the cross- selfless love. It is not easy though showing that kind of love that God gives to me, especially to those who hurt me or to those i know have made themselves an enemy to me.BUT if i am really born again and if the love of God is shed abroad in my heart then i will be able to love everyone, even my enemies.Verse 12 states that "if we love one another, God dwelleth in us and his love is made perfected in us" ,verse 16 "and he that dwelleth in love ,dwelleth in God and God in him". To me if i want God to dwell in me i need to have love in me to those around me despite the circumstances i might face, or else i am a liar according to verse 20.I cannot say i love God whom i have not seen and hate my brother and sister, even my enemies, whom i see each day. It is not enough to say we love, but we should have the need to show love even to those we think do not deserve it.

We can start with and keep an attitude of love by starting the day off in prayer/Bible reading. It really helps set the tone of the day and I notice a big difference in my day when I omit this- my day is harried and my attitude towards others isn't loving...Love is so essential to a Christian that we know automatically when we aren't demonstrating love. Jesus epitomizes love- if we are followers of Jesus, we too are love. The closer we walk with God the love pours out of us toward others (similar to the light of Jesus shining on us). When we have our not-so-loving moments, it's best to repent and start over again- this time in love.

I just had some time with God this morning...funny your subject would be on love. He directed me to Phillipians to study as my next step, I did the entire read of the book, several things he brought out to me. From my "pickings" out of the 1st read-(just one of them)->Philipians 2:13 We are created for His pleasure. Until we get that straight its hard to get the love part straight. We have to understand that the entire reason we live is to please Him. We please Him through how we live our lives. It is then we understand we are for His pleasure and He teaches us how to please Him.

Am I perfect? NO way! But I understand my very existance is for Him, now my question to God is How can I please You today? Open my heart and allow the Holy Spirit to teach me. As he teaches me things in my work day or where ever I am...I see people as if I see them through His eyes...I pray often help me to have my Jesus glasses on today so I can see them as you do Lord so I don't become judgemental, irrational or otherwise distasteful to them thus putting shame on You through my actions...more often than not He has shown me things in people's lives I would never have known and it is so much easier to love them even my brothers and sisters in Christ which are still carnal in their walk...

I can not express the deep deep love I have for my Savior and all parts of Him. I have been given opportunities that I have squandered away...but He has forgiven me. I look to the future...my heart is ready for the New Jerusalem...I spend time often wondering what this earth will look like when it is perfected, the lack of darkness, sin, judgement etc...it is so hard to imagine the final earth...but I know that "All things work to the good for those who love Him and are called to His purpose" and I believe I have been called and I am working out my salvation with "fear and trembling" So be it AMEN!!

Wow. Last night I was just asking God to help me love my daughter even when my patience has run out. The message of the day really speaks to me. God is amazing. He reaches out to even little old me.

Anyways, I think that starting and ending our day off with His Word is key to maintaining love. If we fill ourselves with goodness, only goodness can proceed. God sent His Word/Son to us. We must simply accept it. I think when we begin to lose that spirit of love, we must relax against the inner struggle and allow God's love to shine forth. We must keep in mind the grace He has shown us, and offer this to others.

The other people who have posted here are so right, we need to saturate ourselves in the Word of God, and meditate on His attributes throughout the day. If we are going to try to love unconditionally as Christ loves, it is going to take a conscience effort on our part. When I find myself in a situation where love is not what comes naturally, I try to put myself in the other person's situation...always remembering that it is God's grace that I am not in that particular situation, it is no merit of my own. We receive unconditional love from our Lord and others every day, it is our responsibility to carry out the same. Thank you for the reminder and challenge!

Love is a huge thing. To love those who don't love, or even remotely like us is not easy. God told us to pray for those who persecute us. So praying for them is a step in the right direction. Smile at them from a distance - let God lead you to the next step.

As for allowing God's perfect love into your life, Dee. His love is amazing and overwhelming at times. Think of it this way. You have just gone to the fanciest restaurant with all kinds of delicacies that you have never seen / tasted before. (They are not fattening or harmful for you - and never will be.) What would you do? I think I would look around, and then start at the beginning with tasting each one. "Taste and see that the LORD is good!" Let God show you Himself one bite at a time. He will NEVER hurt you. He only has you in mind. I hope that helps!

i think my radar, or blood pressure, goes up when an unpleasant situation arises and i know i have a choice on how i can respond. do i want to respond in love or irratation. do i want to lose my temper or look unto jesus, the auther and finisher of my faith. when someone is hurting and it inconviences me i want to develop the habit and pattern of humbling myself and attending to that hurt. so many opportunities, especially us who are married, to repond to adversity in a god like manner

I work in the public and so often there are people who can be nasty. When I respond to them I remember that they are God's child and I do not know what life problems they maybe facing. Those thoughts help me help them and I get to practice patience as well !

May I present a challenge to anyone who has difficulty loving someone they are in conflict with. Look straight into their eyes, look for God's Eyes in theirs when you speak to them. That is practicing God's presence and you can't help but love that person knowing God is right there. May Jesus help us see HIM in everyone.

I have learned since the untimely death of my only son, that we must have love in our lives everyday..it is hard to love sometimes, but it is so much easier in tough situations. I have 1Peter4:8 engraved on my son's head stone. "Above all love each other deeply".. It seemed so appropriate, the last year of his life was very hard and I didn't always deal with situations with love. I regret that deeply but know God loves me and it is only by His grace and love that I can move forward. I also know God loves my son and I thank Him for rescuing him. And so Rebecca P. love your daughter deeply everyday, don't let a day go by without love.
The reason I signed up for the Power of 4 at work was so that I could read God's word before starting my day. I makes a huge difference for my whole day. This is the first time I have shared on the site. I enjoy reading everyone's thoughts, but today, LOVE is reason I had to share..

In church two weeks ago we were given a small strip of paper, the sermon was about love and acceptance, at the end of the sermon their were 5 choices and were asked to write our first name and select 1 of the 5 on the paper, then they came around and collected the strips of paper making a paper chain. My selection was 'talk sweeter' It's amazing how that has helped me when I'm talking to people around me and my two dogs. I'm more patience with people and my two dogs. Love is patience and kind. Above all PRAY and study the Word of God, and ask God for help in the areas that you are weak in. I have found that God puts situlations/people in my path as a reflection of myself, if I just step back and look at the whole picture I know God is with me and helping me to grow.

I wonder if agape love can be defined as commitment, I sure understand that better than love that would be defined as a reaction. Jesus's love for us as described in the passage seems to point to an committed love, that's restful for me and inspires me to action.

Flo, thanks for your comment and for sharing about your son. And thanks for your perspective on love. Glad you chimed in. It's good to hear P4 (God's Word) has been a meaningful boost in your day! Tami W.

Dee,

It helps if we add verse 17 to verse 18. According to a modern English translation, those two verses say:

"And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love" (1 John 4:17-18).

So, the "perfect love" these verses are talking about is the love that comes from God. And, like all other things that come from God, we accept it by faith. The fear we have can be traced, ultimately, back to our fear of punishment. But Romans 8:1 says, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Where there is no condemnation, there is no punishment. Where there is no punishment, there is no need for fear.

When we accept by faith that all our sins (past, present and future) are covered by the blood of Jesus, we can stop striving to earn God's love, and simply accept it. It's amazing but true, God loves us, no matter what (Romans 5:8-10). Keep in mind, God can't love you any more tomorrow than He does today. Believe it and accept it.

Allen, Biblical Correspondent at Back to the Bible