This next series of blogs that I write will be pertaining to 1 Corinthians 13 aka the love chapter. As Christians many times I feel that we say this word way too loosely and when the time comes to step up to the plate we step back. It's time to realize more now than ever that love is not just a word that you say....IT IS WHAT YOU DO!! I believe that when Jesus returns for us and we stand before him, he is going to look at the definition of love and way our lives against it. So without further ado lets get started with this first section.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (Amplified Bible)
1 IF I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such as is inspired by God's love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 And if I have prophetic powers (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God's love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody).
3 Even if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I surrender my body to be burned or in order that I may glory, but have not love (God's love in me), I gain nothing.
In a nutshell the above scriptures are telling us that we are worthless without the love of God in our hearts. No matter what type of outer appearance we try to put up, if there's no love behind it...its worthless. Many people are impressed when they see the saints of God shouting and preaching and going through the religious motions but they are soon taken back when they find out that you can't judge a book by its cover. LOVE IS ACTION!!!
Many of you have heard about the Bishop Eddie Long situation and you have already formed your own opinion on the matter. You talk about it and then you basically throw him under the bus. But yet, you say that you're saved. Check the scriptures above again...LOVE IS ACTION!!! The love of God in us should have kept our mouths shut no matter how bad we wanna talk about it. Let me be the first to say that I don't watch Bishop Long's shows but I respect him as a man of God. I admit that when I first heard about his case, I immediately wanted to pass judgement and say...SHAME ON HIM. He calls himself a BISHOP and look at what he has gotten himself into. But then a friend of mine, Leah LaRue, reminded me of the fact that no one really knows what happened and who are we to judge anyone knowing that we have our own faults. The next thing was that, we need to allow the legal process to take its course and let all of the facts come out and even then its not for us to pass judgement on anyone. I had to repent and start praying for own heart and then I begin to pray for him and his family.
1 Corinthians 10:12 (Amplified Bible) Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands [who feels sure that he has a steadfast mind and is standing firm], take heed lest he fall [into sin].
2 Timothy 3:1-5 (King James Version)
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
People of God if we ever forget what God had to drag us out of, we are in major trouble. Mechanical holiness ain't worth a hill of beans. To me mechanical holiness is: standing up and clapping when everyone else claps, shouting when everyone else does or when the music is fast, memorizing scripture in order to look like you really know the Lord, doing things for the man or woman of God in order to get on their good side, fasting and telling everyone how holy you are, etc. It reminds me of a robot. When we were kids we used to go to the toy section of Wal-mart and find toys that would say "Press here". Instead of pressing just one, I decided to press them all. All of the robots or whatever would be moving at the same time and saying the same thing. If we're not careful we could become the same way. We can say whatever and do whatever but if it is not done in love without MOTIVES, it is a HUGE waste of time.
**To be continued...............
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