Colors of Love!
Anchor Text: 1 John 4:7-21, 1 Cor. 13
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
- 1 Corinthians 13:13
Welcome to February! It’s the season of the year when we talk about love. Therefore, our theme for the month is ‘Colors of Love’. Friends, it’s time for a love check.
I am reminded of the lyrics of the song “Pieces''. It highlights some of the attributes of the love of God for His children. You see, God is love…He doesn’t just love, He is love! He is the perfect epitome of love, and the love He has for His children is unfathomable. I can understand why the apostle John wondered about “what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us…” (1 John 3:1). There are many sides to love; it finds expression in varying shades and colours:
Love is RED: Love is fierce; it is like a wildfire; it is unrestrained, uncontained, uncontrolled, unreserved. It is a spark, and not just a flame (SOS 2:7). Many waters cannot quench love; it is as strong as death (SOS 8: 6,7; Rev 12:11b); love is protective; it is unafraid.
Love is GREEN: Love is life; to love is to live. Love grows; it is a life-force; it is powerful. Love drives; it moves. It is present, not passive or disengaged. Love is truth, love is true; it keeps its word.
Love is WHITE: Love is pure; it honours what is sacred. It is not selfish, never rejoices in evil. Love is gracious; love is beautiful; it builds; it gives (John 3:16). Love is bright; it is unashamed - you are never ashamed of the one you love; you are proud to be seen with such one. Love glows.
Love is BLUE: Love corrects; it chastens. Love is not broken; it is not insecure. Love trusts; love is faithful; love serves; love obeys; love lasts. It is just, it is faithful; it is peaceful. Love is gentle.
In God’s kingdom, love is the most important, the greatest of all virtues (1 Cor 13:13). Faith works by love; giving is profitable when done out of love; obedience is rewarding when we act in love. We are to correct in love; to serve out of love; to prove the sincerity of our love by the way we act and live our lives (2 Cor. 8:8). But you see, love is a choice and not a gift. You choose to love, and are enabled to love by the help of the Holy Spirit (Rom 5:5); you have to make the choice to love first, and then the Spirit strengthens that resolve.
All in all, love is beautiful. We see God’s love expressed in His anger, His compassion, His jealousy, His protectiveness, His discipline. We cannot truly love except we dwell in God, and God in us. Only then does the God-kind of love find expression through us.
Remember! Love comes from God because He is love. He expects us to also love as He does - 1 John 4:8. Jesus stretched out His arms and extended love to those who were rejected. Love does not discriminate, love does not dwell on evil. All other things may fail, but love never fails. May God find in you an expression of His love.