Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 13
In environments of war, animosity against one another, quarrel, etc, one thing is lacking – Love.
Most times, many has a short memory when reacting towards God and fellow human. We come to Him when we are in dare need of our earthly desires, thereafter give excuses upon excuses why we slow down in serving Him.
Adam blamed his wife for disobeying God, Eve blamed serpent (Genesis 4) and the blame game continues to our generations.
Saul was all out to meet prophet Samuel in search of his father’s lost horse but immediately he became a king, he disobeyed God’s instructions concerning Amalek (1 Samuel 15).
Having got to the position of a king, he felt that total obedience to Jehovah God was predicated on his own preference.
How many times have we done this? We come to Him for solutions to our problems, but when we receive answers, we must look for reasons why He is no longer the primary focus of our daily endeavors. We can’t claim to Love God if we can not be grateful eternally to Him and in all areas of our lives. When we love our Creator, the intensity to serve Him and obey His commandments will neither drop nor stagnant, but it will continue to accelerate tremendously.
David was a clear example of a tenacious young man that loved God through to his old age. His love for God made him to get the established covenant of promise that his generation will continue to rule in Israel (2 Samuel 7:12-16; 2 Chronicles 13:5; Psalm 89: 20-37).
We can also establish same in our own lineage if we continue to love Him. Furthermore, our love for God will be more understandable if we love ourselves. We don’t see God whom we claim we love but those around us that we see daily, we hate one another.
- How can an Esau that was looking for the downfall of Jacob ever claim that he loves God?
- How can you convince anyone that you are with God when you exhibit hatred and unforgiving spirit?
- How do you say that you have not forsaken God when you speak ill of your fellow brethren?
- How do you claim to ever love Christ when quarelsomness is your trait?
- How do you love God when you disparage fellow humans in your heart and physically?
- What manner of love will that be if you are the Satan that destroy the house of prayer and divide brethren?
Definitely, no man can ever love God if he can’t love those that he sees and encounters everyday. It is imperative to note that extreme love for our Creator must start from how we relate to one another, how we care for one another, how we forgive ourselves irrespective of what man might have done to us.
We must always remember that if Christ was to be in our position, what would He have done and how would He have reacted to evils from us?
We know very well that His answer is already stated in the scriptures that we should love our enemies (Luke 6:27-38)
The simple truth is that if we don’t love ourselves, we can’t love God and if we don’t love God, our existence on earth is without substance.
May we never labour in vain, through Christ our Lord.
Memory Verse:
1 Corinthians 1:13
“Though I speak with the tongue of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal”.
Author:
Baba Aladura, Elder Israel Akinadewo – FCA, PhD
Prelate, Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide (MCCSW)/President, Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC)