Taught to love by God

"Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other" (1 Thessalonians 4:9).

Because "God is love" and love is of God, we cannot truly love unless by and through God. The more we are conformed to the image of God in Christ, the more truly we can love. So, yes, there is a progressive dimension to our ability to love as God will. Oh that God's people will submit fully to the teachings of the Spirit in all things!

Life is our school. God is our teacher. There is no automatic promotion. Every test must be passed! When tests are skipped or failed, we get to resit them at a later date. Is there any joy in repeating classes and remaining a baby Christian for life?

True love is time-consuming and self-sacrificing. It seeks the best in others and serves rather than want to be served. Just think about the example of the Good Samaritan and this truth becomes clearer.

"How can I live with this man if I can't trust him?" - Rinsola

This touches on an intimate dimension of love as ordained by God - the loved between a man and a woman. Hmm... so much to write here! I'll take it in bits, well, as a countdown to my 13th anniversary of being married to the same woman! 24 days to December 3rd, the day I tied the knot. I think I've got a few things to say about love and trust! And it all goes back to where we began from - taught to love by God!

Father, please teach us to love. Continue to teach me to love. To love my wife and children. To love everyone You've put in my care in church. To love everyone I come in contact with. To love the world that You died for. To love without prejudice. To love like You will. Amen.