Perfect Love

Let me just start this by saying the verses used here are some of my favorites regarding one topic. This is my first time putting them all together in one stream of thought, but they are at the very least all cohesive truths of God's word.

Everyone has their own idea of what love is. And in truth there are many different kinds of love (even as expressed in the bible). For some reason it has come up a lot lately in my life, so I decided to share a few little thoughts. There is of course the age old love quote, and it only seems right to start off with this one which we are all undoubtedly familiar with:

Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Now I know we hear/read the words so frequently, but rather than just blaze through them - actually think about what this really means. Perfect love is all of these things. Perfect. There is only one source for perfect love and that is God. (Greek) Agape - God's love for us - the most powerful kind of love.

There is no fear in love.

But perfect love drives out fear,

because fear has to do with punishment.

The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

1 John 4:16

The completeness of God's love for us means that we do not have to cower in fear of the Lord's judgement over us because we know that all of the judgement we deserved - past, present, and future - was poured out on Jesus.

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love.

Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:16

Another amazing truth here: God is in us, so His love is in us. Strive to be so immersed in God's love that it becomes all you know - your home.

The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart

and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:5

The purpose of the law is to convict our hearts, not just to be a mere outward observer. To prepare and shape our hearts, to constantly change us closer to the image of Christ.

A new command I give you: Love one another.

As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

By this all men will know that you are my disciples,

if you love one another. John 13:34-35

Love is the distinguishing mark of all of Jesus' followers. I pray that in remembrance of this we would all show a little more of God's love to the world each day. Hopefully through this they will know that we are His, and perhaps they will want to be His too.

Exercise Note:

After a week off I will be running again for the first time tomorrow - with the new ankle braces that I just got in the mail. Let us pray it goes well, my first 5k is in 8 days!

Baker's Note:

I love baking after a long day - great way to unwind. I Made a delicious mixed berry cobbler over the weekend: blackberry, cranberry, blueberry, and strawberry, plus a dash of orange! I love that most of the berries were sweet but the cranberries (and orange) added just enough zing for that fabulous sweet and sour combination (more sweet than sour).