Love that Works Wonders
The personalities of some individuals, young and old, are so lovely that it is an absolute pleasure being in their presence. On the other hand, there are people who are like bad odors from which many keep their distance. They are often offensive, habitually critical of others, mostly negative, display a superiority complex and very selfish in their behavior. In reference to this group of people I have heard comments such as “I wish they were dead”; “they need wiping off the map”, “they need poisoning”. Although it may be difficult to love such unpleasant individuals, developing those brutal thoughts are wrong and may reflect a flaw in your own emotions. There is an exceptional quality of love that is spoken of in the Book of Romans 13:10 which all human beings should strive to permanently embrace. It states “love does no wrong to one’s neighbor… [It never hurts anybody].” When this kind of love is welcomed within the human heart, the chances of developing murderous thoughts towards others are very slim. Placing a very high premium on the lives of human beings will become the order of the day and cultivating a positive attitude toward the unlovable will be less challenging.
The words of young Ghana born writer Israelmore Ayivor gripped me when he said: “Love in your heart is good medicine for long life. Hatred in your blood is the major cause of heart failure! Love people, get transfused with a fresh blood and you'll live long!” Sound advice.
Loving your enemies:
If anyone tells you it is easy to love your enemies, don’t believe them. It is not. However, the love to which I made reference has the capacity to help you “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you...” (St. Matthew 5:44) When this love is resident in your inner being developing deadly thoughts of murder toward individuals who may have malicious intent toward you will become remote. There was a young man who once lived a life of crime. He rose to be leader of a gang and was very skillful at using his blade. He related an incident where a knife-wheeling youngster attacked him. He quickly got the knife away from him and place the blade to the youngster’s throat. He told him that before his experience of God’s love he would have killed him, but that love would not allow him to do it. He released his attacker.
Loving your brother/sister:
The words in the 1 John: 3:15 are eye opening for all those who claim to have a relationship with the God of the highest quality of love. “Anyone who hates (detests) his brother (sister) is at heart a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding (persevering) within him (her).” The apostle John under inspiration is saying that church people who develop and practice hatred in their hearts toward their own brothers or sisters within the church are intentional murderers and are not going to heaven. Encouraging hatred in the life makes it easy for cancers of bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness to come on board and create a fertile environment for spiritual heart failure. Individuals with such poisons in their hearts need corrective surgery so that genuine love can replace such poisons. Admitting to such infirmities and permitting Jesus, the Master Surgeon, to perform His specialist inner work will result in a renewed and beautifully functioning heart that is filled with love for your fellow brother/sister.
In a world where it is easy for the heart of mankind to cultivate thoughts of murder and then take the next step of following through with those thoughts, there is a special kind of love that thinks very highly of human life. It is priceless - God’s love. Test it today and enjoy the difference.
Haynesley Griffith
Marriage and Family Life Consultant
[email protected]
The words of young Ghana born writer Israelmore Ayivor gripped me when he said: “Love in your heart is good medicine for long life. Hatred in your blood is the major cause of heart failure! Love people, get transfused with a fresh blood and you'll live long!” Sound advice.
Loving your enemies:
If anyone tells you it is easy to love your enemies, don’t believe them. It is not. However, the love to which I made reference has the capacity to help you “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you...” (St. Matthew 5:44) When this love is resident in your inner being developing deadly thoughts of murder toward individuals who may have malicious intent toward you will become remote. There was a young man who once lived a life of crime. He rose to be leader of a gang and was very skillful at using his blade. He related an incident where a knife-wheeling youngster attacked him. He quickly got the knife away from him and place the blade to the youngster’s throat. He told him that before his experience of God’s love he would have killed him, but that love would not allow him to do it. He released his attacker.
Loving your brother/sister:
The words in the 1 John: 3:15 are eye opening for all those who claim to have a relationship with the God of the highest quality of love. “Anyone who hates (detests) his brother (sister) is at heart a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding (persevering) within him (her).” The apostle John under inspiration is saying that church people who develop and practice hatred in their hearts toward their own brothers or sisters within the church are intentional murderers and are not going to heaven. Encouraging hatred in the life makes it easy for cancers of bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness to come on board and create a fertile environment for spiritual heart failure. Individuals with such poisons in their hearts need corrective surgery so that genuine love can replace such poisons. Admitting to such infirmities and permitting Jesus, the Master Surgeon, to perform His specialist inner work will result in a renewed and beautifully functioning heart that is filled with love for your fellow brother/sister.
In a world where it is easy for the heart of mankind to cultivate thoughts of murder and then take the next step of following through with those thoughts, there is a special kind of love that thinks very highly of human life. It is priceless - God’s love. Test it today and enjoy the difference.
Haynesley Griffith
Marriage and Family Life Consultant
[email protected]