NEWS Follow After Love
Chip Brogden sent out a beautiful note this morning to his "Inifinite Supply" distribution list. I thought I would share it with you. Here's what Chip wrote:
"And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved" (II Corinthians 12:15).
Paul gave us an example to follow. Don't just look at his calling and his gifting and his revelation. Look at his heart of love. He gave all - not just for the Lord, but for the Lord's people. And they were a most carnal, unappreciative bunch of people. Even so, the heart of a father is demonstrated. That is the reason he had authority. I tell you his authority was not in his title, his position, or his status as having founded the church. His authority was not in his calling, gift, or revelation. His authority was in the abundant love he showed.
Make no mistake: I am not there yet. I still struggle with how to be a good brother, much less a spiritual father with abundant love for everyone. I obviously have a long way to go, but now I see the missing ingredient and I am following after love. How about you?
****************
Following after love is what those in Christ do. For many Christians, it is the missing ingredient, as Chip noted. If we have not love in our hearts, we are nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:2)
God is love. (1 John 4:8). Love is the fullfilment of the law (Romans 13:10). The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. (Galatians 5:6).
Scripture makes abundantly clear that love is the greatest. (1 Corinthians 13:13)
May you follow after love.
Agape,
Steve
Postscript: Here's a link to sign up to recieve Chip's "Infinite Supply." Click link and scroll down a bit.
http://www.watchman.net/join.html
"And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved" (II Corinthians 12:15).
Paul gave us an example to follow. Don't just look at his calling and his gifting and his revelation. Look at his heart of love. He gave all - not just for the Lord, but for the Lord's people. And they were a most carnal, unappreciative bunch of people. Even so, the heart of a father is demonstrated. That is the reason he had authority. I tell you his authority was not in his title, his position, or his status as having founded the church. His authority was not in his calling, gift, or revelation. His authority was in the abundant love he showed.
Make no mistake: I am not there yet. I still struggle with how to be a good brother, much less a spiritual father with abundant love for everyone. I obviously have a long way to go, but now I see the missing ingredient and I am following after love. How about you?
****************
Following after love is what those in Christ do. For many Christians, it is the missing ingredient, as Chip noted. If we have not love in our hearts, we are nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:2)
God is love. (1 John 4:8). Love is the fullfilment of the law (Romans 13:10). The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. (Galatians 5:6).
Scripture makes abundantly clear that love is the greatest. (1 Corinthians 13:13)
May you follow after love.
Agape,
Steve
Postscript: Here's a link to sign up to recieve Chip's "Infinite Supply." Click link and scroll down a bit.
http://www.watchman.net/join.html
posted by Steve at
11:43 AM
1 Comments:
In Paul's own words (2Corinthians-12:16) But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile
(Guile => ruse, sharp practice, treachery, trickery and williness)
That's clearly not something the good Lord would inspire anyone to do now is it?
~Abdullah
(Servant of the Good Lord)
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