LOVE'S HABIT

"Love as distinct from "being in love" is not merely a feeling. It is a deep unity, maintained by the will and deliberately strengthened by habit; reinforced by the grace which both partners ask, and receive from God. They can have this love for each other even at those moments when they do not like each other; as you love yourself even when you do not like yourself". - C.S. Lewis
   
1 John 4:8 (ISV)
The person who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

There are a lot of things happening in our world today that don't look good and really shouldn't be happening. One of my concerns is for the younger generation, that now they're having to learn and deal with all the wrong stuff being projected out there about love, about opposite gender relationship and even about sexuality. Sadly, this generation is gradually trying to make it normal for two persons of the same sex to be married. Evil has invaded the hearts of many law makers to the point that same sec marriage is being legalized in many parts of the world. They are calling evil good and calling good evil, just as the Bible foretold would happen. Also, this generation like none other before it, is seeing people change their physical appearance from one gender to another. I wonder what the nearest 5 or 10 years will look like in the lives of the youngsters who are being bombarded with the wrong information about these issues. To make it worse, some don't even have people who they look up to, to give them the right teaching and counsels, and as a result, many are already tending towards being wrecks. My heart goes out to them.

Someone has to rise up and take seriously Jesus' homework He left us, to teach all nations. I'm happy God has stirred me and given me the privilege to make known His counsel to our world especially along these lines of lobe and relationships. To all believers out there, don't be indifferent about what's going on in the world. Denounce these evils. Help all those around you who you can help. As believers that we are, we ought to hate these things with our entire beings because God does. The hate should not be against the people involved but against the sins, and the hate should produce an overwhelming love in us for the people entangled in such sins. We should yearn to see them delivered and saved. They are straying because they are blind and highly deceived. They need us to bring them the message and loving power of the gospel both in our words and in our actions. As I take a close look at our quote today, I like the fact that the place of the will is mentioned in the quote. That reminds us that love is a decision, a choice we make. We choose to love people. We don't just fall or stumble into love. Whether we realise it or not, the will is always involved. Our choice always plays a role.

Yes, love can be described as magical, although there's no magic to true love. Rather it's the pure flowing stream of God's nature. Love can be so beautiful. In fact, it was designed to be. But when it becomes like a plague to the point of one almost becoming a lunatic or one being helpless or even wanting to harm someone else all in the name of love, then hold it right there, that isn't love at all. Truth is, such is very far from what love is. In a previous post I shared that love is not an obsession. We must be smart enough to draw a line between love and this whole "being or fallen in love" thing. Either one can exist without the other. You can say you've "fallen in love" with someone and yet you don't have love for that person. Young people need to grasp this (You can read up LOVE'S INDICATOR if you missed it).There cannot be any successful relationship/marriage between a man and a woman without learning to do things God's way. One of the nice things in today's post also, is that love is independent of like. I can love you at times when I don't seem to like you and the things you do. Love isn't dictated by the tides of your feelings. We must learn and master this. After making a choice, we must appreciate the fact that our choice is strengthened by our habit. I like that. It means we need to be doing things in line with our decision to lobe the person we have chosen to love.

Finally my dearest friend, we need to see that the grace to live the life of love, the strength and continues ability that makes it possible, comes from God. Knowing this, we must keep looking into the character of God to stay strong in love. Our Bible text for today clearly helps us appreciate the truth that anyone who does not love does not yet have a clue who God is. How much you know God is shown by how much you love others. So, if you're married or in a relationship, the love you have for and show to your spouse/partner speaks volumes about how well you know God. When it seems like your love doesn't last and you are tempted to drop everything and go look for someone else who could be more interesting and all, remember that God isn't that way (Don't get me wrong, if you're in a relationship you know God isn't pleased with, call it off without hesitation. This advice however, does not apply to the married). True love only comes from God Almighty, and to give it to others we must first open up our hearts to receive it from God. May the grace of God enable you to practice the truths you receive on this blog. If I were you, I'd love to read this post one more time and perhaps read today's quote two more times. Do have a blessed day.

Keep Loving, Keep Living...............LOVE ISSUES
@Bibilovejunkie