Love and Holiness

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (1 John 4:7-11)

Some mistake the strength of conviction and the fight for what is right for love, and that is a grievous error. Feelings and conviction alone, no matter how strong, never lead us to perfect love. The fact that we feel strongly about someone or something does not mean the Lord feels the same. Our flesh and self-interest are the snare, limitation, and weakness of passion-driven love. God's love is not hindered at all by emotions, because His love is bound to His holiness, and only His love is perfected in that holiness. True love is not passion, and passion is not true love — our passion must mature into love by submission to the Holy Spirit.

The test of God's love in our hearts is how we treat those around us. If we do not love one another, we cannot rightly claim to love God. Our idea of love must be battered into shape by the mean world and people we encounter; and there will be those who are unlovable, but God expects us to love in spite of themselves —  in spite of ourselves. This is the true nature of holy love. It is not something romantic, passionate, or delicate, but precious, practical, and durable. May the Lord show us what love really means and how it behaves toward others. Teach us, Lord.

Let’s Pray – Lord, help me to walk in and express holy love; that is, the love of the Father, which is without selfishness or agenda. Teach me on a daily basis what that love looks and sounds like, and I will walk in that instruction. In Jesus, Amen.