True Love Gives – Love Perverted Takes
Love is a powerful thing, it originated with God and is a gift from God that we may experience the essence of His love and His glory on the earth. As with anything that is powerful, it can be used for good or for harm, and for this reason we are given instructions and boundaries that would help safeguard for usfrom mischief. This world has trained us to look elsewhere to fame, fortune or things to indulge our need for love. Rather than understanding the love God has for us and the high calling of His love, which is to give instead of taking.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting live. NKJ
We have been beguiled by the lies of this fallen world, which says God does not love us and He want to keep us from being loved. We have been told that we are unloved, worthless and insignificant, because we lack in some area be it ethnicity, beauty, intellect, fame, fortune or social status. We are constantly being told by this system that we are not wanted, to go away or that no one will ever love us because of who we are,or are not. But God, even at our worst moments, in His great love and mercy saw us polluted in our shame and spoke words of love and comfort, that we may live in the truth of His love for us.
Ezekiel 16:6 And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto they when thou wastin thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto they when thou wast in they blood, live. KJV
In the natural we are self-centered and self-indulgenced people who look to have our needs satisfied, but true love gives for thesatisfaction to others. Lust is a perverted form of love that takes from others only to gratify itself. Our minds have been conditioned to think that our lives are futile and meaningless,but God has called us His beloved, a pearl of great worth and precious in His sight.
Matthew 13:45-46 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. NKJ
As our world is now, it would have us looking for things or sensations to satisfy our desires, which is not love but a twisted indulgent since of self. Lust looks for immediate fulfillment at the cost and at the expense of others. This intense desire looks for immediate gratification with an excessive craving and an overmastering desire that will sacrifice the what is right and appropriate for ill-gotten and instant pleasures. It will sacrifice its future and eternal hope on the altar of momentary pleasuresjust to please the flesh but will never be satisfied. Lust createsan insatiable greed that promotes a one-person activity that only looks out for self.
Hebrew 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God that to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches that the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. NKJ
God is love and He created us in His image of love that we mayexpress this love as we give of ourselves so others may live. True love gives so that others may see and receive the light of God’s love. In the giving of good gifts, we take time, thought and effort in knowing the needs and desires of that person with the motive of seeing them joyful. If our motive is to make ourselves feel or look good then that gift is given with selfish motives. God’s love is compassionate and kind.
Colossians 1:21-22 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight– NKJ
God has provided His love to every person through Jesus Christ, but everyone as a free-agent, with a will, will decidetheir own fate and destiny, to accept or reject God’s love. We are all subject to the biases, prejudices, hatred and division of this world. No matter what area, what culture or society, whether we be rich or poor, esteemed or debased, prior to receiving Christ, we all have suffered in not know the true loveof God.
Jesus stands at the door of our hearts knocking, asking to come in, to flood and overwhelm our lives with His love. As any person with honor and virtue, Jesus will not force His way into our lives. He is willing to wait for us to open the door of our hearts and let Him into our lives, homes and communities.
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him and he with Me. NKJ
In truth Christ came and gave Himself for us that we may live and have an abundant life. True love gives looking for nothing in return, while lust looks to gratify its needs and longings. For us to know love and to show love we must reform our thinking and transform the ways we choose to pursue and demonstratelove. Jesus is our example of love in every relationship and especially with our most intimate ones, Christ so love the church, His Bride and gave Himself for her.
John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. NKJ
Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her. NKJ
The world is going after smoke and vapors, things that have no substance and do not satisfy, not realizing they were created in the very essence of love, to be an example of love in the earth. If we are feeling unloved or feel we are living without love, it is a lie from Satan. It is rooted in a system that cultivates selfishness and pride at the expense of others. Some people will seduce others by saying “if you love me you will do this…” just to fill a temporary void. This void can truly be satisfied and fulfilled with the gift of God’s love.
Integrity- People of God 