Love Freely

1 John 4:^20-21 “If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.”

Abraham’s life teaches us that to embrace the horizon and take hold of everything that God has for us this year and beyond, we have to Live Thankfully, Seek Wisdom, Believe Boldly, and Sacrifice Accordingly. Our fifth lesson is to Love Freely. We are to love freely. 1 Corinthians 16:14 “Do everything in love.” (NIV). Abraham loved freely, and a classic example is how he dealt with the situation with Lot. Even though Lot was not very nice. This same Lot, who was nobody, rode on the back of Abraham and became somebody. When there was strife between their servants (Genesis 13:1-12), Abraham said to Lot, “Choose any part of the land…” Lot not only chose before his uncle, but he also chose the best portion.

When it was time to rescue Lot, Abraham put his life on the line for Lot. He went to war for Lot physically (Genesis 14:1-16) and spiritually, he stood in the gap for Lot (Genesis 19:29). Abraham loved freely. There are people in your life that you have chosen to avoid. God is saying to you today that you need to learn to love freely. People will be people. People are not perfect. People will do whatever people do, but you are to love freely. You say, “But Pastor, what these people have done is unforgivable.” God is saying, “Don’t let unforgiveness hamper you.” So, because nothing is going to hamper you in this year in Jesus Name (say Amen), you have to love freely. Let God melt your heart. Let His loveliness melt away every form of ugliness. Let God’s presence heal your heart.

Interestingly, there are Christians who, since the COVID-19 pandemic, have refused to return to church physically. They say, “I love God with all my heart, and God knows that I am a genuine Christian. But I just prefer to do church online. I can’t trust people; they are all hypocrites.” God is asking, “Have you seen me before? Meanwhile, you see my children whom I live.” It doesn’t matter how many goosebumps you feel during worship online or the amount of electricity that passes through your body. God is saying, “It is impossible for you to love Him if you can’t stand people. You can’t love the God you cannot see if you don’t love the people that you can see. For some, this is the key to that breakthrough, that next level.

How many parents will agree to be friends with people who hate and can’t stand their children? That can’t even work. Similarly, God says, If you don’t love the people that you can see, how can you claim to love the God you can’t see? Loving God means loving His children.

Prayer: Father, please give me a loving heart for Your people, so I can truly love as You do, in the Mighty Name of Jesus. Amen!