Colossians 3: 23 – 24 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; (24) Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. (KJV)
Selfishness is a way of thinking that motivates a person to always seek his or her own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for the well-being of others.
Believers can avoid selfishness by purposely seeking the well-being of others.
A Believer should never esteem his or her life and purposes above another person’s or above the plans and purposes of God
The temptation to be self-centered or selfish must be resisted. A self-centered person always has an issue with pride.
James 4: 6 – 8 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “GOD RESISTS THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” (7) Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (8) Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (NKJV)
A self-centered or selfish person will have difficulty with pride and therefore will have difficulty in his love walk and his relationship with Jesus.
Selfishness and fear are two primary obstacles to agape in the life of the Believer.
Some Christians allow selfishness to stop them from walking in the unconditional, unqualified love of God
Self-centered people invariably struggle with depression and oppression. They can’t sleep. Their relationships are shallow and unsatisfying. They are constantly thinking only of themselves and not of others.
The lifestyle of love is exactly the opposite. Love says don’t seek your own interest first but the interest of others. Love says to think the best of every person and take no thought to an evil done to me. Love says to bear one another’s burdens. Love says if you want to be great be the servant of all.
Matthew 20: 25 – 28 And Jesus called them to Him and said, You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men hold them in subjection [tyrannizing over them]. (26) Not so shall it be among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, (27) And whoever desires to be first among you must be your slave– (28) Just as the Son of Man came not to be waited on but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many [the price paid to set them free]. (Amplified Classic)
The biggest enemy to the love of God is love of self. You must get rid of selfishness in order to walk in the love of God.
You must be willing to put God’s will above your own desires and above everything else in your life. That is what it really means to love God.
What do you have on the throne of your heart as a priority?
What keeps you from your time with the Lord or doing what you already know to do?
What are you so tied to that it effects your time with the Lord?
Many people tie themselves to money, houses, other people, and pleasures instead of God. However, you cannot get so tied to those things that you forget God.
Matthew 6: 33 But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. (34) So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble. (Amplified Classic)
Loving God, setting your love upon Him, requires that you tie yourself to Him and Him alone. He should be your number one priority.
Ephesians 6: 10 (Amplified Classic) In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].
We cannot walk the Love Walk in our own strength. We must be strong IN The Lord. We draw our strength from Him. Our strength flows from our union and communion with Him. We are strengthened from our inner man.
Not only do we draw our strength from the Lord as we walk in Love setting our love upon Him, but as we Love God we Love One Another. As we Love one Another we draw strength from one another.
Ephesians 4: 16 (Amplified Classic) For because of Him the whole body (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part [with power adapted to its need] is working properly [in all its functions], grows to full maturity, building itself up in love.
We build our strength to walk in love in our inner man or our Spirit man.
We can build the strength of our bodies and strengthen our minds and still not strengthen our Spirit Man which is the real man.
Our real strength flows from our inner man or our Spirit Man. In order to walk in Love, we must strengthen our Spirit Man. We must root ourselves in Love.
Colossians 2: 6 – 7 As you have therefore received Christ, [even] Jesus the Lord, [so] walk (regulate your lives and conduct yourselves) in union with and conformity to Him. (7) Have the roots [of your being] firmly and deeply planted [in Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving. (Amplified Classic)
Philippians 4: 13 I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency]. (Amplified Classic)
Proverbs 3: 5 – 6 Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. (6) In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. (Amplified Classic)
Psalm 31: 1a In You O Lord do I put my trust and seek refuge. (Amplified Classic)
Confidence must be developed. We must develop confidence in God and His Word before the problem or issue comes. We need to practice our trust and confidence in God and His Word every day in every circumstance and situation of life. Not just when problems are present. If we wait till the problem arrives, we will have a difficult time developing our confidence.
If we really had the confidence and trust in God and His Word that we say we have, we would respond differently to the problems and circumstances of life. If I really do have confidence in God and His Word, I will trust Him in every area of my life.
David knew where to place his confidence. It was a habitual lifestyle for David. You find him constantly declaring his confidence in God and His Word. Do you?
Like David many of us have had some trouble in our lives but let’s take a look at how David handled the troubles and problems that he faced in life. We should be responding in the same way.
Psalm 56: 3 What time I am afraid, I will have confidence in and put my trust and reliance in You. (Amplified Classic)
Psalm 31: 14 – 15 But I trusted in, relied on, and was confident in You, O Lord; I said, You are my God.(15) My times are in Your hands;(Amplified Classic)
Psalm 25: 1 – 2a Unto You O Lord do I bring my life. O my God I Trust, lean on, rely on, and am confident in you. (Amplified Classic)
Psalm 31: 5 Into Your hands I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord, the God of truth and faithfulness. (Amplified Classic)
2) We are Love Creatures, 1st John 4: 7; 1st John 4: 13 – 16; 1st John 4: 17…As He Is so are we in this world.
3) Love is the point of origin,
4) Love is the power source,
5) Love never fails, fades out, or comes to an end, 1st Corinthians 13: 7 – 8 (AmplifiedClassic Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. 8. Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end].
6) Love is the perfect bound of unity John 17: 21 – 23; 1st John 4: 17
7) Love is the only way that truly we can keep ourselves. 1st John 5: 18 (KJV) He that keeps himself that wicked one touches him not.
8) Perfect Love cast out fear 1st John 4: 18 (NKJV) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
9) All of the issues of life flow from the heart or from Love Proverbs 4:23 Keepand guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.
10) Faith works by Love.As we study, mediate on, and act on the Living Word of God it develops and builds up our Faith which works by Love. Galatians 5: 6 (Amplified Classic) For [if we are] in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love.
1stCorinthians 13:7 – 8 Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. (8) Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. (Amplified Classic)
Romans 5:5 Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us. (Amplified Classic)
Romans 8:31 – 39 What then shall we say to [all] this? If God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?] (32) He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things? (33) Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect [when it is] God Who justifies [that is, Who puts us in right relation to Himself? Who shall come forward and accuse or impeach those whom God has chosen? Will God, Who acquits us?] (34) Who is there to condemn [us]? Will Christ Jesus (the Messiah), Who died, or rather Who was raised from the dead, Who is at the right hand of God actually pleading as He intercedes for us? (35) Who shall ever separate us from Christ’s love? Shall suffering and affliction and tribulation? Or calamity and distress? Or persecution or hunger or destitution or peril or sword? (36) Even as it is written, For Thy sake we are put to death all the day long; we are regarded and counted as sheep for the slaughter. (37) Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us. (38) For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, (39) Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Amplified Classic)
1st John 4: 4 Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world. (Amplified Classic)
Proverbs 4: 23 Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life. (Amplified Classic)
Ephesians 6: 10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. (Amplified Classic)
Ephesians 3: 16 – 21 May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality]. (17) May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, (18) That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it]; (19) [That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]! (20) Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]– (21) To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it). (Amplified Classic)
1st Corinthians 13: 4 – 8a Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. (5) It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. (6) It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. (7) Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. (8a) Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end].(Amplified Classic)
A person who is walking in the Spirit having an established heart will be walking in the fruit of the Spirit.
Proverbs 4: 23 Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life. (Amplified Classic)
To have and continue to develop an established heart the person must set His love upon our Loving Father God. This is not a one-time decision. It is an on-going moment by moment decision that we make continuously in all circumstances. The Father will always respond to a person who sets his love upon Him.
Psalm 91: 14 – 16 Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness–trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never]. (15) He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. (16) With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation.(Amplified Classic)
A person being led by the Spirit having an established heart or being Spiritually minded is a person who is at rest no matter what the circumstances of life may bring.
An established heart is fixed, steadfast, unwavering, trusting in the Lord always and in all circumstances no matter what those circumstances are. The established heart does not weaver in times of trouble or distress.
A person who wavers or a person who is controlled by their feelings and emotions does not have an established heart. The person who wavers is a person who is being ruled by their feelings and emotions. They are carnally minded. Fear, worry, and depression are ruling in their lives. They are troubled minded. They focus on the problem instead of the answer.
A person with an established heart does not worry, fret, or fear. They do not focus on the problem but on the answer.
We cannot walk in the Spirit and be carnally minded. In order to walk in the Spirit we have to have an established heart and be Spiritually minded.
A person with an established heart has their focus on God’s Word. God’s Living Word is abiding in their hearts.
John 15: 7 (Amplified Classic) If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.
A person with an established heart is always prepared and ready unmoving no matter what happens.
A person with an established heart has set their love upon the Father.
An established heart is Spiritually minded, and God’s Word ruled. God and His Living Word is first place in this person’s life. They are not ruled by their senses, emotions, or feelings.
An established heart is fixed, steadfast, unwavering, trusting in the Lord always and in all circumstances no matter what those circumstances are. The established heart does not weaver in times of trouble or distress. A person with an established heart does not worry, fret, or fear. They do not focus on the problem but on the answer.
A person who has an established heart is a person who walks the Love Walk no matter what the circumstances are. The person with an established heart has set their love upon the Father. This person will be walking in the fruit of the Spirit.
The Person with an established heart is Spiritually minded, and God’s Word ruled. God and His Living Word is first place in this person’s life. They are not ruled by their senses, emotions, or feelings. God and His Living Word are first place in this person’s life. The person with an established heart or who is Spiritually minded will be God and others centered, not self-centered.
Proverbs 4: 23Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life. (Amplified Classic)
Colossians 3: 1 – 3IF THEN you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (2) And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. (3) For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. (Amplified Classic)
Galatians 5: 25 If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.] (Amplified Classic)
Psalm 25: 1UNTO YOU, O Lord, do I bring my life. (2) O my God, I trust, lean on, rely on, and am confident in You… (Amplified Classic)
1st Corinthians 13: 7 – 8 Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. (8) Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. (Amplified Classic)
Romans 5:5 Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us. (Amplified Classic)
2 Tim. 2: 22 Shun youthful lusts and flee from them, and aim at and pursue righteousness (all that is virtuous and good, right living, conformity to the will of God in thought, word, and deed); [and aim at and pursue] faith, love, [and] peace (harmony and concord with others) in fellowship with all [Christians], who call upon the Lord out of a pure heart. (Amplified Classic)
Walking in agape love requires development and training.
It is vital that we develop and strengthen our inner man or our Spirit Man which is the real man.
We cannot be successful in developing and building our Love Walk without the Holy Spirit who lives and abides in every Born-Again Believer. He is our Helper in the developing process.
Ephesians 3: 16 – 19 May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality]. (17) May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, (18) That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it]; (19) [That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]! (Amplified Classic)
1st Peter 4: 7 – 8 But the end and culmination of all things has now come near; keep sound minded and self-restrained and alert therefore for [the practice of] prayer. (8) Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others].(Amplified Classic)
Proverbs 10: 12 Hatred stirs up contentions, but love covers all transgressions. (Amplified Classic)
Ephesians 4: 14 – 5: 2 So then, we may no longer be children, tossed [like ships] to and fro between chance gusts of teaching and wavering with every changing wind of doctrine, [the prey of] the cunning and cleverness of unscrupulous men, [gamblers engaged] in every shifting form of trickery in inventing errors to mislead. (15) Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). (16) For because of Him the whole body (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part [with power adapted to its need] is working properly [in all its functions], grows to full maturity, building itself up in love. (17) So this I say and solemnly testify in [the name of] the Lord [as in His presence], that you must no longer live as the heathen (the Gentiles) do in their perverseness [in the folly, vanity, and emptiness of their souls and the futility] of their minds. (18) Their moral understanding is darkened and their reasoning is beclouded. [They are] alienated (estranged, self-banished) from the life of God [with no share in it; this is] because of the ignorance (the want of knowledge and perception, the willful blindness) that is deep-seated in them, due to their hardness of heart [to the insensitiveness of their moral nature]. (19) In their spiritual apathy they have become callous and past feeling and reckless and have abandoned themselves [a prey] to unbridled sensuality, eager and greedy to indulge in every form of impurity [that their depraved desires may suggest and demand]. (20) But you did not so learn Christ! (21) Assuming that you have really heard Him and been taught by Him, as [all] Truth is in Jesus [embodied and personified in Him], (22) Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion; (23) And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], (24) And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness. (25) Therefore, rejecting all falsity and being done now with it, let everyone express the truth with his neighbor, for we are all parts of one body and members one of another.(26) When angry, do not sin; do not ever let your wrath (your exasperation, your fury or indignation) last until the sun goes down. (27) Leave no [such] room or foothold for the devil [give no opportunity to him]. (28) Let the thief steal no more, but rather let him be industrious, making an honest living with his own hands, so that he may be able to give to those in need. (29) Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it. (30) And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [do not offend or vex or sadden Him], by Whom you were sealed (marked, branded as God’s own, secured) for the day of redemption (of final deliverance through Christ from evil and the consequences of sin). (31) Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind). (32) And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you. (Amplified Classic)
The Love Walk does not just happen. We must choose to walk the Love Walk on an ongoing daily moment by moment basis through a series of choices. The Love Walk must be developed. It is progressive. We must exercise choice and our Faith to develop our Love Walk. We must be diligent. It does not just happen. It is a process.
2nd Peter 1: 3 – 11 For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue). (4) By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature.(5) For this very reason, adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy), and in [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence), (6) And in [exercising] knowledge [develop] self-control, and in [exercising] self-control [develop] steadfastness (patience, endurance), and in [exercising] steadfastness [develop] godliness (piety), (7) And in [exercising] godliness [develop] brotherly affection, and in [exercising] brotherly affection [develop] Christian love. (8) For as these qualities are yours and increasingly abound in you, they will keep [you] from being idle or unfruitful unto the [full personal] knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).(9) For whoever lacks these qualities is blind, [spiritually] shortsighted, seeing only what is near to him, and has become oblivious [to the fact] that he was cleansed from his old sins. (10) Because of this, brethren, be all the more solicitous and eager to make sure (to ratify, to strengthen, to make steadfast) your calling and election; for if you do this, you will never stumble or fall. (11) Thus there will be richly and abundantly provided for you entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (Amplified Classic)
How do I prepare for my end times or THE END Times? The preparation is the same for my end times and The End Times.
You can study and know all that there is to know about the events leading up to and including the end times and still not be prepared for the end times. Knowing the events is not how you prepare for the end times. Well then how do I prepare for the end times.
In order to be prepared for our end times or the End Times we must be Born Again and have a Love Relationship with our Loving Heavenly Father.
John 14: 6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.
John 3: 3 – 6 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (4) Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” (5) Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. (6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (NKJV)
John 3: 16 – 17 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. (17) For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him. (Amplified Classic)
Once we are Born Again establishing our Love Walk is how we prepare for the end times, our personal end times and The End Time. I Guard my heart.
Proverbs 4: 20 – 23 My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings. (21) Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart. (22) For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh. (23) Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life. (Amplified Classic)
1st Peter 3: 8 – 9 (Amplified Classic) Finally, all [of you] should be of one and the same mind (united in spirit), sympathizing [with one another], loving [each other] as brethren [of one household], compassionate and courteous (tenderhearted and humble). (9) Never return evil for evil or insult for insult (scolding, tongue-lashing, berating), but on the contrary blessing [praying for their welfare, happiness, and protection, and truly pitying and loving them]. For know that to this you have been called, that you may yourselves inherit a blessing [from God–that you may obtain a blessing as heirs, bringing welfare and happiness and protection].
The Love Commandment includes loving your enemies and doing good to those who hate and curse you or speak negatively about you.
John 15: 12 – 14 (Amplified Classic) This is My commandment: that you love one another [just] as I have loved you.(13) No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends. (14) You are My friends if you keep on doing the things which I command you to do.
Jesus did not only die for His Friends but also for His enemies. He died once for all.
1st Peter 3: 18 (Amplified Classic) For Christ [the Messiah Himself] died for sins once for all, the Righteous for the unrighteous (the Just for the unjust, the Innocent for the guilty), that He might bring us to God. In His human body He was put to death, but He was made alive in the spirit,
Luke 6: 27 – 28 (Amplified) But I say to you who are listening now to Me: [in order to heed, make it a practice to] love your enemies, treat well (do good to, act nobly toward) those who detest you and pursue you with hatred, (28) Invoke blessings upon and pray for the happiness of those who curse you, implore God’s blessing (favor) upon those who abuse you [who revile, reproach, disparage, and high-handedly misuse you].
1st Cor. 12: 31 But earnestly desire and zealously cultivate the greatest and best gifts and graces (the higher gifts and the choicest graces). And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one that is better by far and the highest of them all–love].(Amplified Classic)
1st Cor. 13: 1 – 3 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 orin order that I may glory, but have not love (God’s love in me), I gain nothing. (Amplified Classic)
Love meets all the requirements of heaven, answered prayers, and harvest.
Matthew 22: 37 – 39 And He replied to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (intellect). (38) This is the great (most important, principal) and first commandment. (39) And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself. (40) These two commandments sum up and upon them depend all the Law and the Prophets. (Amplified Classic)
Everything Hangs on the Rod of Love. When you let love fall, your faith, healing, prosperity, prayers, deliverance, everything will fall.
Luke 10: 25 – 28 (Amplified Classic) And then a certain lawyer arose to try (test, tempt) Him, saying, Teacher, what am I to do to inherit everlasting life [that is, to partake of eternal salvation in the Messiah’s kingdom]? (26) Jesus said to him, What is written in the Law? How do you read it?(27) And he replied, You must love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself. (28) And Jesus said to him, You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live [enjoy active, blessed, endless life in the kingdom of God].
Manifestations come through expressing God’s love toward others. But we have resisted God’s love for so long that we fail to see manifestations in our lives as we should. Real love always produces manifestations of His Presence. We must demonstrate love in order to have genuine manifestation of God’s Word in our life at all times,
John 13:34 – 35 (Amplified Classic) I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another. (35) By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves].
Restoration Ministries 