Sincere And Selfless Love - Bliss & Fire Network Weekly Digest - Success Scripture August 11, 2009

Sincere And Selfless Love 

"Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;" - Romans 12:9-10

EXPLORATION

There are three forms of love described in the Christian Greek scriptures - EROS, PHILIA AND AGAPE.

EROS - Is the passion for the opposite sex that constitutes the emotional incentive to conjugal union. It is lust.

PHILIA - Is a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection as for a friend, for a parent or child, brother, sister or a relation. Usually the person is well known and your association or relationship demands the love as a duty.

AGAPE - The benevolent type of affection that desires the good and well-being of others either socially, spiritually or otherwise without considering the excellence of the person involved. Could even be an enemy. This kind of love is selfless and sacrificial and it is guided by the principle of good and righteousness. This is the God-kind of love. The Bible says: "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8  (Deuteronomy 7:7-8, 1 John 4:10-11, 1 John 3:16). AGAPE is such that the follower of Christ takes the initiative in doing good whenever the occasion arises to do so. This kind of love has no law to limit it. It ought to be practiced at any time or place, and to any extent toward your neighbour. It is what we owe others as children of God. The Bible says: "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law." - Romans 13:8. AGAPE can only be produced by the Holy Spirit in the lives of those who have believed in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and are born again. (1 Thessalonians 4:9, 1 John 4:10-11, Galatians 5:22) It is the highest test of a person's Christianity and can only be known by the action it gives rise to.

INSPIRATION

Paul says, "Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good." - Romans 12:9. This is in view of what biblical love really is and God's expectation of us as his children. The message on love is not new. What is needed is constant self-examination. This week's lesson is an x-ray on the love-quality of our lives as children of God, a time for a sober reflection on the way we relate with people and to prove if indeed the love of God prevails in our hearts. Paul now presents the test as follows:

• Love must be without dissimulation; that is without any pretence or hypocrisy. (Romans 12:9)
• Should abhor doing any form of evil. (Romans 12:9)
• Seek and hold fast to that which is good. (Romans 12:9)
• Must be sincere, kindly affectionate and merciful. (Romans 12:10)
• It is brotherly. This means loving the brethren as members of the same household of God, having the same heavenly hope. (Romans 12:10)
• Selfless and sincere love naturally leads to mutual respect, as they prefer one another. (Romans 12:10)
• It recompenses no man evil for evil. Forgives and does not retaliate. (Romans 12:17)
• The love of God makes us live at peace with all men. (Romans 12:18)
• Feed your enemy when he is hungry and give him water when thirsty. (Romans 12:20)
• Be not overcome of evil but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21)

SELF-EXAMINATION: Let these questions soberly and slowly go through your mind as you determine to allow the Holy Spirit work out the unfeigned love of God in your heart and life: what does it say and what does it mean? Does it affect my life in anyway? Any error for me to correct? Any good example for me to follow? Do I need to start any relationship that I had earlier ignored?

This week: demonstrate your commitment to God by igniting someone around you with the love of JESUS CHRIST. God HIMSELF will protect you as you do this, HE will not allow anyone to take advantage of you as you obey HIS commandment. The HOLY GHOST will be you guide. The love of GOD will make ways for you and you will be blessed in your going out and in your coming back. Favor of God will speak for you in all things. AMEN!

Remember the Bible says: "Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us." - 1 John 4:11-12

We love you!

We are praying for you,

It's our JOY to see you blessed!

Bliss & Fire Network Team.

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