Love

The Lord revealed something to me this morning.  Perhaps I am a slow learner to have taken this long to see it.  Or perhaps the Lord waited until my inner self was ready to accept the message. I don’t know, but I am so excited to know now!

It seems that some people thrive on the sorrow of another.  If they can bring to you tears, they seem to be gloating as they mumble an apology. Or, they don’t admit to being wrong at all, and place all the blame on you. Why, I often I asked myself, can people be so MEAN?  And why am I so sensitive? 

“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12 NLT

You have seen the scripture before, I am sure.  I have read it a hundred times before.  I have quoted the scripture to others.  I get it; there are powers other than my flesh, other than God.  But thing is, I have never GOTTEN it!  Not until now… well, I still probably don’t HAVE it… but I can see a bit clearer. 

When someone is submitting to darkness, they are MEAN… this isn’t really rocket science here.  But the thing is, when we respond by breaking down to tears, by barking back a mean statement, by yelling, by screaming insults, by showing to that person (who is actually submitting to an evil ruler or authority of the unseen world, a mighty power of the dark world, or an evil spirit) that they can control us, we are giving POWER to the darkness.  Can you see it? The more sorrow we demonstrate, the more hurt we show, the evil GROWS in that person.  So that person thrives on our pain, because that is where the darkness gets power.  “The thief comes only to STEAL, and KILL and DESTROY…” – John 10:10.  The more he can STEAL our joy, KILL our spirit and DESTROY our life… the more enjoyment he gets and the more power we give him.

So how do we respond?  AGAPE.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails.” – 1 Corinthians 13:1-8

This scripture is so familiar, we have it on our walls, we read it in church, we read it at weddings, but how many of us actually PRACTISE agape love?  How many of us actually BELIEVE in agape love?

What is agape love? It is a supernatural love, a divine love.  We cannot love like that on our own accord.  We need Christ in us to be able to set our hurt aside, to be able to hold our emotions in check and extend a true, supernatural love to a person who has hurt us. 

But why would you do this? Why would God ask ME to do something so sacrificial? So HARD? I’M the hurt one… not them!  Don’t they deserve to feel MY wrath… to know that they HURT ME? I want them to FEEL MY pain.  (So you see the focus on self? Did Jesus come for himself? Or did he come for YOU?)

Agape love KILLS the power of darkness.  It takes away the control of the enemy and unleashes the power of our everlasting Father. 

Sounds pretty cool, eh? But how do we do it?

“10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” – Ephesians 6:10-18

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love (agape), joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.” – Galatians 5:22-26

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love (agape) each other. Just as I have loved (agape) you, you should love (agape) each other. 35 Your love (agape) for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35

“Most important of all, continue to show deep love (agape) for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.” – 1 Peter 4:8

“For God loved (agape) the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16

“This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another.” – 1 John 3:11

We need to rely on God.  That is how we can extend agape love.  Returning to scripture daily, hourly, and praying continually.