Desire vs Love

May 11, 2014

Galatians 5: 16-26  So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[a] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. 

John 10: 10  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Revelation 12: 11 They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

Matthew 6: 33  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

1 John 4:19  We love because He first loved us.

Pastor David said:

According to the Bible, love is not a feeling. Love is an act of volitional will--a choice, a decision, a covenant relationship--which God and ONLY God makes possible. Love is a fruit of the Spirit [Gal 5:22-23] Americans want love to be romantic, emotional, accidental--a coup de foudre! False love is based on needs and feelings. Real love is defined by giving--the choice to give to others. It is based on what you can give, not on what you need from someone.

If we want to live as a holy, set-aside people (holy = kodesh), we must love as the Bible teaches love. 

1. People are not commodities. Don't shop for love; decide to love. 

2. Love is a sacrifice, and it must be freely given. 

3. Where there is no love; there are rules. Love makes graciousness possible and destroys self-absorption. When you love, you think of others. And when others love you, you feel nurtured and don't have to command attention. So for love to function--as God intends it to function--we all must love.

4. Truly and deeply love God. And when you choose to do that, He will give you the ability to love all others. FIRST, love God. [Matt 6:33, Rev 12:11]

New Testament Christianity: We love because we are loved! We are not trying to earn a place in heaven--we have a place in heaven. Heaven is a gift of love and mercy, freely given by Jesus. Jesus' love for us is our example of how to love others. We love and reach out to others because Jesus loved us. Because we accepted that gift of mercy and love, we have a place in heaven--and we don't deserve it. Maybe our fellow man doesn't "deserve" it, either, but Jesus set the example. We simply follow it.