Markham County Park, Sunrise, Florida
Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. . . . when you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. ~ I Corinthians 8:9-12
We returned to the First Baptist Church in Weston this morning. It’s not often we visit a church more than once. They told us they had 1,100 people between the two services last week, and “it seemed like most of you were at the picnic!” See? I told you it was overwhelming! 😊 The Pastor also announced an update on their finances – a budget of $34,000 per week, and they’re averaging $42,000! That’s $8,000 per week above their budget! Not many organizations or people can boast that kind of financial stability!
This is week 15 out of 15 that he’s spent teaching on I Corinthians 13:4-7 which covers the attributes of 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.
Today’s sermon title – “Love Keeps Going”.
Christian love doesn’t stop for any reason, even when it wants to quit, because Christian love comes with the power of the Holy Spirit. And we don’t get to choose what love looks like. God does. We are to aspire to these 15 characteristics. This is what Jesus died for.
They are also
commands. As Christians, we have all we
need to begin loving this way: We’ve
become a new creation – Therefore, if
anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the
new has come. ~ II Corinthians 5:17.
We have the Holy Spirit – The fruit of
the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and
self-control. ~ Galatians 5:22-23
We have the Word – All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. ~ II Timothy 3:16-17.
We have prayer – If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ~ James 1:5
And we have our church family/body of believers – And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another. ~ Hebrews 10:24-25a
So why is it so hard for us to love? It’s because of sin – mine and yours. If love was easy, relationships and churches would all exhibit it. If everyone would just do what we want, the way that we want it, and when we want it . . . and others feel the same about us. “If you would just make it easy for me to love you, it would be easy for me to love you!” But we are all sin-filled. Even after redemption has taken place. But with all the helps we have, we can change. And we should be working towards change. It’s a long process.
So how then?
We have to wait. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. – Psalm 27:14. Waiting is hard in the concept of love. Very hard. We can’t change people. But God can. And we can change ourselves with His help. II Timothy 2:10 says, I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.
Christian love waits on others even if they’ve hurt us or we don’t like what they’re doing – like a co-worker who isn’t nice to us, or a loved one who’s fallen away for some reason (drugs, anger at God, etc.)
But where do I draw the line? Are there times when I should? At times, for our own safety, we need to step away, but we don’t have to stop loving. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children 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?. . . And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? ~ Matthew 5:44-47
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ~ Romans 12:9-12
Endurance. “Things like naps, ice cream and finding $100 bills on the ground don’t have to be endured.” Endurance means not avoiding or quitting the things we don’t like. If we have made two lists – one of the things I’m willing to endure, and one of the things I won’t. That’s not godly love.
We are called to love like God, Who loves us and endures us and our sin through Jesus Christ. And we are to begin at home with our children and our spouse and our other family members. We need to remember that without the endless love of God, none of us would have any hope. In our love for others, we have to fight hard against the incredibly strong temptation to quit. And we will fail. But we can repent and try again. We can’t fix our sin problem ourselves. Only God’s Word will show us the way God see us. This is how we grow. Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves. Do what is says. ~ James 1:22.
True Christian keeps going. Even when it’s hard.
And that’s about it. Another day of lazing around. It’s still too hot to go anywhere. Blaine’s lips (especially the bottom one) are pretty bad, but he’s not complaining. Still, I wish I could heal him.
I took my book outside once the shade hit the picnic table. Until a big spider decided to share my chair. It’s nice to know I can still move very quickly if needed . . .
I promise, one day we’ll get back at it again. If it ever cools down or clouds over down here.
This is what tiny Downy woodpeckers at our campsite are doing to the trees.