Christian Principles for Living #1 Love

Christian Principles for Living #1 Love
There are some very important precepts within Christianity that all true believers in Christ Jesus I believe must be following. The first is Love.
Jesus said when asked the question,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40
Earlier in Matthews gospel we hear Jesus taking this concept of love one step further. He said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,...” Matthew 5:43,44.
When it comes to Love the Apostle Paul made clear what Christian Love should be. He wrote,

“Love is patient, love is kind. 

It does not envy, it does not boast,

 it is not proud.  

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, 

it is not easily angered, 

it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love.”  

                                                    1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.

What these Scriptures from the New Testament say needs no interpretation. They make clear that believers in Christ Jesus should love unconditionally, God, their neighbour, and even their enemy. And The should be praying for those who persecute them.
If you consider yourself a believer in Christ Jesus do you show this kind of Love to those around you?
Please think about it. 

Do you?

Do you?
Jesus when asked...
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment. 
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40.
The writer of Deuteronomy stated,
“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  
Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”  Deuteronomy 6:5-7.
If you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus do you love?
If you are indeed a true follower of Christ Jesus you must love. The apostle Paul defines what Christian love truly is when he writes,

“Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, 

it is not easily angered, 

it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil 

but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love.”  

                                                                1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.

Paul prior to defining love tells us,
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-3.
Thus the question becomes. If you claim to be a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus to you truly love?
Please think about it.

Fill the World with Love

Fill the world with Love

“Love is patient, love is kind. 

It does not envy, it does not boast,

 it is not proud.  

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,

 it is not easily angered, 

it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil 

but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes,

 always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love.”  

                                                                    1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13
The above is a quote from the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians. It to my mind is the purest definition of love ever written. It defines love perfectly.
Christian or not, one has to admit if there were more love in the world there would be less violence.
Love is about humility. Love, true Love, does not place any conditions on anyone.
For me as a Christian, Love is what I am called to do,
Jesus made three very important statements about love,
Jesus when asked,
 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 
                                                              Matthew 22:37-40.
In Matthew Jesus is quotes as saying
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”   Matthew 5:43.44.
When it comes to Love, true Love God set the example. John’s Gospel quotes Jesus as saying,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John3:16,17
Love is about giving of one’s self something I believe is quite often lacking in our world today.
Anne Frank a young girl hiding from the Nazi’s in World War two Holland wrote,
"Give of yourself, give as much as you can?  And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness!  If everyone were to do this and not be as mean with a kindly word, then there would be much more justice and love in the world.  Give and you shall receive, much more than you would have ever thought possible.  Give, give again and again, don’t lose courage, keep it up and go on giving!  No one has ever become poor from giving!” Anne Frank
This is what love is all about.
When I was in my teens I watched a movie musical called “Good by Mr. Chips.” it’s theme song was called “Fill the World with Love”. The words still have meaning to me all these years later.

In the Morning of My Life

In the morning of my life

I will look to the Sunrise

At a moment in my life 

When the world is new.

And the Question

I shall ask only God can answer.

Will I be brave and strong and true,

Will I fill the world with love my whole life through?

Will I fill the world with love my whole life through?

In the evening of my life

I will look to the sunset

At a moment in my life 

When my life is through.

And the question I shall ask only I can answer 

Was I brave and strong and true.

Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?

Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?

                                                                                    From the Musical
                                                                                Good By Mr. Chips
At the end of your life will you be able to say, “I filled the world with Love my whole Life through?
Please think about it.

How to Conquer

How to conquer
Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment. 
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40
Earlier in the gospel of Matthew Jesus is recorded as saying,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,...” Matthew 5:43,44.
This is how you conquer the world. With love. Not, with force.
Napoleon Bonaparte late emperor of France speaking of Jesus said,
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him” Napoleon Bonaparte.
I thing the concept of conquering the world by love is lost many times, even by those who profess to be believers in Christ Jesus. Especially it seems here in North America where I live.
Sadly I see too many claiming to be followers of Christ Jesus protesting against everything they disagree with. This is not showing love.
I’m sure Jesus and the apostles living in the Roman Empire seen many, many things they would disagree with. Pagan practices that would be abhorrent to their beliefs. Yet we never hear them criticizing Rome or any group outside their own faith.
If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus consider these scriptures,
The apostle Paul states,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”Romans 12:18.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14.
The Apostle Paul states.
“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.”Titus 3:1,2.
The apostle Peter states,
“Dear friends,
I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:9-12.
Living a good life to me means living a life of Love. The apostle Paul stating,

“Love is patient, love is kind.

 It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, 

it is not easily angered, 

it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil 

but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, 

always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love.”  

                                        1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.

For me demonstrating against anyone we disagree with or laws we disagree with is wrong especially in a democracy.
I like what the late American Evangelist Billy Graham said,

It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God’s job to judge 

and 

my job to love, 

                            Billy Graham.

Please think about it.

Love God

Love God
In the book of Deuteronomy we read,

“Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! 

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,

 with all your soul, and with all your strength.

And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.

You shall teach them diligently to your children, 

and shall talk to them when you sit in hour house, 

when you walk by the way, 

when you lie down, 

and when you rise up

You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, 

and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 

You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

                                                                                     Deuteronomy 6:4-9 

Here in Deuteronomy we are told the most important thing in a believers heart should be. Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40.
As believer in God. As believers in Christ Jesus we need to put God first in our lives. Not only that we need to teach them to our children not only in word but in deed.
When I was growing up there was an old saying that some of my extended family use to say. They’d say, “Do what I say. Not what I do”. Believers in Christ Jesus must not say or practice such a thing.
In order to show our children and the world around us the importance of God. God should come first in our lives. We need to tell our children about our faith in word and in deed.
Francis of Assisi wrote,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

                                                                   Francis of Assisi.

Francis also said,

“Preach the Gospel at all times 

and when necessary use words.”

                                Francis of Assisi

If you claim to be a believer in God. A believer in Christ Jesus are you doing this?
Please think about it.

The Greatest Commandment

The greatest Commandment

“Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together.  
One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 
Matthew 22:34-40

This passage of scripture tells it all.
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 
If we truly love the Lord as Jesus is saying here we will want to serve Him in whatever we do. Thus we cannot help but love our fellow man, our neighbour.
Paul makes it clear what true love is like when he states,

“Love is patient, love is kind. 

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, 

it is not easily angered, 

it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, 

always trusts,

 always hopes,

 always perseveres. 

Love never fails.” 

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

If we are truly followers of Jesus we will indeed love even our worst enemy and want to lead them into the path of salvation.
This is what God was doing when he sent Jesus down to us.
God does not care how bad the sin he simply loves the sinner and has made a way for them to enter heaven.
By believing that Jesus is the one and only Son of God. By confessing their sin directly to God in prayer. By accepting Christ’s atoning death on the cross. And by letting Jesus enter their hearts.
The only way people can know the way to heaven is if we as Christians show the love of Christ to them.
A long time ago at a church I attended, the pastor put a very large sign up it read,
“This church for Sinners Only. All are welcome.”
That is if you think about is who the church is for.
The gospel of Matthew records this encounter Jesus had with some Pharisees. They asked,
“Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” 
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” 
                 Matthew 9:11-13.
Question?
Is your church congregation an accepting place for sinners? Would a person not wearing good clothing be accepted as equal without being looked down on if they showed up to the Sunday morning service.
Is your church truly inclusive and by inclusive I mean inclusive. Would someone from the Gay and Lesbian community be accepted?
Would someone from other faiths be accepted.
I am not saying here we should compromise our beliefs. Far from it. It has been my experience that those entering our churches are curious and looking for meaning in life.
Sadly however they are turned off because of someone be it a pastor or even someone in the pews judging and condemning them. This should not be so.
We are called to present the Gospel of Christ to anyone who will listen and what better place than in a church congregation.
Think about it.

The greatest commandment

The greatest commandment,

Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 
                                                                           Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus also said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?”  
      Matthew 5:43-46.
As Christians we are called to love the world to follow the example of God. Jesus himself noting,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
John 3:16,17.
The apostle Paul defined what Christian love, what true love is all about saying,

“Love is patient, love is kind.

 It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, 

it is not easily angered, it 

keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil 

but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, always trusts,

 always hopes, always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love.”  

                                                                        1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13
When I was a teenager before I came to know Christ as my Lord and Saviour I watched a movie called Goodby Mr. Chips the theme tune of the movie had words that have resounded in my mind to this day.
The song is called “In the morning of my life” it’s words are,
In the Morning of My Life

In the morning of my life

I will look to the Sunrise

At a moment in my life 

When the world is new.

And the Question

I shall ask only God can answer.

Will I be brave and strong and true,

Will I fill the world with love my whole life through?

Will I fill the world with love my whole life through?

In the eveniung of my life

I will look to the sunset

At a moment in my life 

When my life is through.

And the question I shall ask only I can answer 

Was I brave and strong and true.

Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?

Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?

                                                           By Leslie Bricusse
                                               From the movie musical Good by Mr chips
Even though I was young the words struck a cord with me. It said to me what I wanted to do with my life. To fill the world with love.
I believe I have done that and will continue to show love to all I come in contact with until the day my Lord calls me home.
When you stand before God will you be able to say, “I filled the world with love”?
Think about it.