THE POWER OF LOVE

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” – 1 Corinthians 13:1, NIV.

Love is a powerful force that drives people into action. Without the love of God, we cannot feel for others not to talk of interceding for them. We cannot serve God well if we do not love Him. It is the love we have for God that propels us to advance His kingdom and do everything He requires of us. We cannot sacrifice either for God or humanity if we have no love.

The definition of love is found in 1 Corinthians 13. This chapter gives detailed components of love. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT) says, “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”

We normally read this verse at marriage ceremonies, but it applies to every one of us. If you love others, you will always seek their welfare and be there for them. Love doesn’t rejoice when another person is suffering, you put yourself in the person’s shoes and help in any way that you can. Love doesn’t laugh with a person and then turn round to paint the same person evil. Don’t be a hypocrite as a child of God.

Strive to be a better Christian every day by growing and maturing in your love for others. Whatever we do for mankind we do it for God. Matthew 25:40 (NLT) says, "And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!” If you hate your brother you hate God. Take time to read the whole chapter of 1 Corinthians 13 and meditate on it.