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I want to challenge people to read this and put it into practice, not just to view it as ‘another article’ As it says in Lamentations 3 v40, “Let us examine our ways and test them”. There are two reasons why I have written this article, firstly, I have recently been reading George Verwer’s book The Revolution of Love and felt compelled to write on this subject. Secondly, one of the key factors for me in becoming a Christian was just how loving and welcoming some Christians were to me. I really saw something different about them, and wanted it!
Throughout the Bible it emphasises the importance of Love. In Galatians 5 v22–26 we read: “But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live in the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other”
But, what is love? In 1 John we find a very clear definition, “God is Love”. George Verwer says on Page 12 of his book, “Now that appears to be a very simple statement, but I am convinced that only a small percentage of believers have really come to grips with this truth”. Have you? (I include myself in that).
It says in 1 Corinthians 12 v 1, “And now I will show you the most excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal”. In v 13 it says, “And now these three remain, faith, hope, and love, but the greatest of these is love”. Arguably, if this is true, then as individual Christians or in our societies, love must play a major part. If we want non-Christians coming back to our meetings we must make them want to! Let us make a conscious effort to talk to new people, make them feel welcome.
As Christians, I feel we are here on earth mainly to bring others to Christ (see Mark 16 v 15–16, Luke 19 v 10, Matt 5 v 14–16, and many more …!). I am a testimony to the fact that love has a huge influence on non-Christians, maybe even more so for people from broken homes, lonely people, ‘unpopular’ people, overseas students in a foreign country, or other people who are the scapegoats of prejudice.
We read in 1 Corinthians 4 v 20–21: “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?” Love can manifest itself in numerous simple ways. Instead of us ignoring, not associating with certain people, or viewing ourselves as ‘better’, let us mix with people, talk to people who seem to be lonely or unpopular, (Jesus mixed with tax collectors and prostitutes). It says in Ephesians 5 v 2, “Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God”
If our love is genuine, it needs to extend to everyone around us, “If you love those who love you what reward will you get, and if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others?” (Matt 5 v 46–47).“Make every effort to add to your faith goodness”; v5–7 “and to goodness knowledge; and to knowledge self-control; and to self control, perseverance; and to perseverance godliness, and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ”. (2 Peter 1 v 5–7).
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Last modified: 25th November 2005