Peace Presbyterian Church
9145 Franklin Blvd.
Elk Grove, CA 95758
(916) 684-8100 voice
(916) 684-7719 fax
www.peacechurch.net
Please join us for Worship and Children’s Church at 10:15 am.
Sunday School, “Growth Hour”, at 9 am: classes for all.
Contact us:
Rev. Brian Spangler, Pastor
or
Office Manager
a member of Sacramento Presbytery, and the Presbyterian Church U.S.A.
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Pastor Brian: 2007 February |
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“Learning to Love as Jesus Loves”As the month of February begins, everything around us reminds us of the importance, joy and blessing of being in love. Our celebration of Valentine’s Day is an important time for us as believers to witness to our culture and to remind ourselves of what true love really is. One of the most widely known texts about love from the Bible is found in 1 Corinthians 13. Paul shares that love is more important than any variety of religious expressions (such as speaking in tongues, playing music, prophesying, having wisdom or discernment, having great faith, giving to the poor or even martyrdom). All of these pale in comparison to the importance of being loving. Too often we focus on the external appearances of holiness rather than focusing on having love empower and guide all of our actions. Love is to be an overarching and foundational force in our lives as we seek to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. “...love is more than feelings or emotions and that love is really shown in how we treat and interact with others.” Paul also provides a good checklist of whether we are truly being loving in each of our relationships. He says in I Corinthians 13:4-7, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 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.”If we want to accurately gauge how loving we are, this is a good list to use. What qualities on this list do you need to work on? God reminds us that love is more than feelings or emotions and that love is really shown in how we treat and interact with others. True love, Godly love, is never selfish and is always selfless. “Christ-like love involves self-sacrifice, a deep and lasting commitment to the well-being of another and a pouring out of one’s life...” On the cross, Jesus shows us how much God loves us. In 1 John 4:9-10, John says, “This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and Only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”Christ-like love involves self-sacrifice, a deep and lasting commitment to the well-being of another and a pouring out of one’s life in order to care for and to serve someone else. Christian love shows a deep concern for how we can be life-giving to someone else. “...Our lives are to be filled with love. In doing so, we give up our own lives, our own agendas and our own desires in order to love and serve others.” As Christians, we are to imitate the love Christ shows us. In Ephesians 5:1-2, Paul tells us, “Be imitators of Christ, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Our lives are to be filled with love. In doing so, we give up our own lives, our own agendas and our own desires in order to love and serve others. When we truly love others just as Christ has loved us, we learn to enjoy blessing them rather than being motivated by what they can give us in return. This month and every month, let us recommit ourselves to enjoying lives filled with love. Let us embrace God’s gift of love to us in Jesus Christ. Let us revel in His true love by being loving, life-giving and a blessing to others. Love in Christ, |