Love Strengthens

"...But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. Anyone who claims to know all of the answers doesn't really know very much. But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes." 1 Corinthians 8:1b - 3

While wisdom and knowledge are important and worthy desires, there is something that is far more important - love. Pauls says in this verse that you can have all the answers in the world, but without love, specifically love for God, you have nothing and your knowledge is unfounded. This verse beutifully illustrates the balance between knowledge and love for God. We saw yesterday that fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge. Loving God is the only way to obtain true knowledge and wisdom. Loving Him leads to intimate knowledge of Him. Intimate knowledge of Him through the Holy Spirit molds us into His likeness. When we fall in love with God, we want to know everything about Him! Just like a young couple who are deeply in love, when we are in love with God, we just can't get enough of Him! When we love Him, when we desire to know and be known by Him, we are reflecting His very Nature and Character. We are being molded into an image of His precious Son, Jesus, who loves Him and is always faithful and obedient to the Father.

God desires us. He loves us so much that Christ was obedient unto death to give us every opportunity for salvation. To be known by God, we must model His love. We must love Him with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Then we must love others, yes, even our enemies. He said so. Toby Mac illustrates this point so beautifully in one of his songs. In one stanza it simply says, "I was made to love and be loved by you!" How amazing is the love of God for us!

In His Love, Cathy