What Do You Love?

Because God is love, the most important lesson He wants you to learn on earth is how to love. It is in loving that we are most like Him; so love is the foundation of every command He has given us: "The whole Law can be summed up in this one command: 'Love others as you love yourself.'"

The level of love within your church reveals the spiritual health of the fellowship. Paul makes this point: "No matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do. I'm bankrupt without love." Jesus said our love for each other - not our doctrinal beliefs - is our greatest witness to the world. He said, "Your strong love for each other will prove to the world that you are my disciples."

Here are some simple truths:

Life without love is nada.

Often we act as if relationships are something to be squeezed into our schedule. We talk about finding time for our children or making time for people in our lives. That gives the impression that relationships are just a part our lives along with many other tasks. But God says that relationships are what life is all about.

Jesus summarized what matters most to God in two statements: Love God and love people. He said, "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart. ... This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the other commandments and all the demand of the prophets are based on these two commandments." After learning to love God (worship), learning to love others is the second purpose of your life.

Busyness is a great enemy of relationships. People become preoccupied with making a living, working, paying bills, and accomplishing goals as if these tasks are the point of life.They are not. The point of life is learning to love - God and people. Life minus love equals zero, nada, zip, blank, nothing.

Love will last.

Another reason God tells us to make love our top priority is that it is eternal: "These three things continue forever: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love."

Love leaves a legacy. Mother Teresa said, "It's not what you do, but how much love you put into it that matters." Love is the secret of a lasting heritage.

We will be measured on our love.

One of the ways God measures our spiritual maturity is by the quality of our relationships. In Heaven God won't say, "Tell me about your career, your bank account, and your hobbies." Instead, He will review how you treated other people. Jesus said that the way to love Him is to love His family and care for their practical needs: "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me."

People need to understand that when you transfer into eternity, you will leave everything else behind. All you're taking with you is your character. That's why the Bible says, "The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."

So what are you loving that really matters?

Passion with HIS Purpose

Paster Steve Vaughn