SCRIPTURE:
“Do everything in love.”
1 Corinthians 16:14
OBSERVATION:
Just four words, but an extremely powerful command. It doesn’t say to do SOME things or only the things that we would like to do in love, but it says EVERYTHING. The verse right before this gives numerous actions:
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” – 1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on your guard, stand firm in faith, be courageous and be strong…AND do it ALL in love.
Do EVERYTHING in love.
APPLICATION:
The word love is found all throughout the Bible. Love is the basis for the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:36-40). Love reveals whether or not we are disciples of Jesus (John 13:35) and Love is the greatest thing that one should strive for (1 Corinthians 13:13).
In my younger years, I would often do things out of compulsion or guilt. I would do things for others out of obligation and then would feel tremendous resentment towards them. It would often lead to broken relationships and bitterness.
When I finally made the decision that I would only say yes to doing things because I WANTED to, and would do so from a place of love, the problems of the past began to diminish. What changed was not the people asking and the things that were being asked of me, no, what changed was the posture of my heart.
I was doing things simply because I cared and loved people. It no longer mattered if they thanked me, returned the favor or did something nice for me. There were no longer lingering feelings of hurt. Why? Because of the decision to do things from a place of love.
In everything I do I must do so from a place of love. I must do EVERYTHING in love.
PRAYER:
Father Almighty. Forgive me Lord for times when I have done things for the wrong reasons. Thank You Lord that You call us to be a people of love. May I do everything in love, this I pray, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
