Galatians 5:14 (KJV)
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Love is not just an act or a feeling, it is a nature and that nature is implanted in you by the Holy Spirit through regeneration. When one comes to Christ, he or she becomes one with God through the redemptive power of Christ and the Holy Spirit implants the love of God in such an individual’s life. It is not that an unregenerated heart does not have the capacity to love, no, it is that such love does not reflect the true nature of God in its manifestations.
It is more of feelings, and affections and not unconditional love which we call Agape Love. God’s kind of Love. The Love that focuses on the highest Good and interests of others. The Love that is God-centric. Love that is sacrificial with the purity of intentions. The love that acts, feels and reflects the very truth of God in all of its dealings. So we see then that this Love – Agape is the fulfillment of the law. And we are called upon to demonstrate it towards our neighbors. As we have been informed that our neighbor is not necessarily the person living beside us only but anyone whom we have the capacity to help and be blessings to irrespective of color, ethnicity, religious orientation, sexual orientation or anything of such nature.
The commandment to love is blind to such things but is alive to the voice of God and the word of God. This we see in the parable of the Good Samaritan. So let us keep it real. It is a command and every command requires obedience. You have the capacity because it has been implanted in your spirit. It is a nature and you have received that nature.
So why then do people struggle to love as commanded?
- Many are still not grown or growing in the nature of God within them. All you receive from God comes in the form of a seed and seed must be well planted and nurtured for it to grow and without growth, a manifestation is impossible. So it is not sufficient to say, I love God when you don’t love your neighbors. For the Good Word says, how can you say you love God when you don’t love your neighbors whom you see for no man has seen God but in this is love manifested and made perfect that we love one another. Failure to grow in Grace leads to the inability to love as commanded. Remember that growth is a choice.
- Many are still self-serving and self-centered. So they hinder the capacity of fruitfulness in the area of love.
- Many have not fully understood the benefits of loving in this way. If they no that it is the highest form of witness to those who are unsaved, it would make a difference.
So if you desire to bear great fruits relationally, then loving your neighbor becomes a passion of your heart. You are called to be fruitful and fruitful you are. So arise and love as Christ loves you.
Shalom,
Apostle Morgan.