A Free Gift from GodA Spirit of Love
OK, we know this scripture now. But actually what is it that God has given us?
2 Timothy 1:7
(7) For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Be honest here, the commandment that Jesus gave us is not an easy one for us to carry out. He is commanding us to do something that does not come naturally to us; it is not within the human ability to achieve it without assistance from God.
John 15:12
(12) This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
There is a vast difference between the love of man and the love of God, and yet He asks us to be godly in the way that we keep this commandment. We can't do this without His help and God knows that; He knows our weakness here very well and because of our weakness, He has given us a spirit of love 2Ti_1:7.
In truth, God has already done for us all that is needed; He has given us the tools to do the job, and in His scriptures, He has taught us how to use that tool.
Psalms 18:32
(32) It is God who girds me with strength and makes my way perfect.
And now we need to allow that love which God has given us to grow within us. We need to allow it to come to a stage of perfection in our lives.
1 John 4:16-17
(16) And we have known and believed the love that God has in us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
(17) In this is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, that as He is, so also we are in this world.
Unless we allow that love within us to grow, it will dwindle away, being replaced by our natural desires that are not godly.
But you might say to me that you don't have the faith for that love within you to grow because God's love covers areas that you are not able to cover. God's love deals with areas in our lives where we have been hurt before; even too much for us to bear. Don't worry about it! That is not your responsibility, doesn't the scripture tell us that Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith.
Hebrews 12:2
(2) looking to Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right of the throne of God.
But you might ask me how he could do that in your life and deal with the areas that you don't even want to talk about. Don't you know that this is the work of the Holy Spirit?
Galatians 5:22-23
(22) But the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith,
(23) meekness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
It is He who carries out that work in our lives, not us. It is He who produces that fruit in our lives when we allow Him to do it.
When Jesus was seated on the mountain, He taught his disciples the simple truth: there is no reward for you if you just love those who love you (Matthew 5:46), He gave them a command. Love your enemies as well.
Matthew 5:43-48
(43) You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy."
(44) But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you,
(45) so that you may become sons of your Father in Heaven. For He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
(46) For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same?
(47) And if you greet your brothers only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax-collectors do so?
(48) Therefore be perfect, even as your Father in Heaven is perfect.
It is not easy to love the unlovable. It is not something that we can do on our own. We need God to help us in this area. But doesn't the scripture tell us that if we ask, we will receive?
Matthew 7:7-8
(7) Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you.
(8) For each one who asks receives; and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, it shall be opened.
And again the scripture tells us
Luke 11:9-10
(9) And I say to you, Ask and it shall be given you. Seek and you shall find. Knock and it shall be opened to you.
(10) For everyone who asks receives. And he who seeks finds. And to him who knocks it shall be opened.
What we ask for here is not something that his difficult for God. It may be impossible for man, but not for God.
Mark 10:27
(27) And Jesus looking on them said, With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.