Love is All you Need
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Now remain in my love."
-John 15:4-9
I was 10 years old, and I remember laying on my twin bed in the room I shared with my sister. I was looking at the ceiling, listening to a radio station out of Chicago, I can't even remember the call letters now. Thought I'd never forget them. Anyway, I listened to this station every day, especially since the newest sensation, The Beatles, began playing on the radio. I LOVED the Beatles. I was a dreamy kid, one who would rather stay in and read a book or just "be" than go outside and play. I loved poetry, and already was looking at the "meaning" of things I would read or hear. Consequently, the Beatles' songs were great fodder for my examination. The song "All You Need is Love" was written for a specific event. There are a lot of interpretations abut the meaning of this song, but the most prevalent opinion is one I like. It states that just about anything can be accomplished by just about anyone......but if you have love for others, that is something special and unique.
Although the Beatles certainly weren't known for any Biblical attitudes ,this one can certainly be applied. The bible speaks continually about love. In the NIV, the word love is found 567 times. I'm pretty sure that means it's really important. Yet it's probably one of the most difficult things we try to do.
We recently had a retreat with some material by Beth Moore entitled "Loving Well". It was quite the BEGINNING of a learning experience. You see really loving well doesn't come quickly or easily. Sometimes it requires a great deal of work . And sometimes it's impossible. Just impossible.....for us anyway. Beth Moore called those people who are difficult to love "testy" and "foe". The people who are just difficult, annoying, those who just suck the life right out of you(testy). Or, the ones who have hurt you so deeply there is no going back (foe). And yet:
" By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another,"
- John 13:35
And:
"My command is this: love each other as I have loved you."
- John 15:12
Well, that's pretty clear, isn't it? Unfortunately, the Bible doesn't say, "Love when it's easy. Don't love when it hurts or when it's annoying. Only love when it feels good." I just can't find that scripture anywhere. Rats! We are human. I am completely human on every level. When someone hurts me, I get out my bricks and build that wall. By golly, I'm protecting myself from that happening again! No more of that! Is there a scripture about it being ok to build walls like that? Can we add it?
The truth , as Beth is trying to help us grasp in this study, is that we can't do it. We can't love supernaturally on our own. We don't have it in us. Not by ourselves. But we DO have it in us through accessing the power of the One who asks us to do it. You see, there is nothing.....NOTHING......He asks us to do that He won't give us the ability to do. I've experienced it myself, and have read examples of others who have as well. I know you have heard of stories of people who have even forgiven their child's killer. Wow. Now that's impossible.....for us. But:
"Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
-John 15:4-9
I was 10 years old, and I remember laying on my twin bed in the room I shared with my sister. I was looking at the ceiling, listening to a radio station out of Chicago, I can't even remember the call letters now. Thought I'd never forget them. Anyway, I listened to this station every day, especially since the newest sensation, The Beatles, began playing on the radio. I LOVED the Beatles. I was a dreamy kid, one who would rather stay in and read a book or just "be" than go outside and play. I loved poetry, and already was looking at the "meaning" of things I would read or hear. Consequently, the Beatles' songs were great fodder for my examination. The song "All You Need is Love" was written for a specific event. There are a lot of interpretations abut the meaning of this song, but the most prevalent opinion is one I like. It states that just about anything can be accomplished by just about anyone......but if you have love for others, that is something special and unique.
Although the Beatles certainly weren't known for any Biblical attitudes ,this one can certainly be applied. The bible speaks continually about love. In the NIV, the word love is found 567 times. I'm pretty sure that means it's really important. Yet it's probably one of the most difficult things we try to do.
We recently had a retreat with some material by Beth Moore entitled "Loving Well". It was quite the BEGINNING of a learning experience. You see really loving well doesn't come quickly or easily. Sometimes it requires a great deal of work . And sometimes it's impossible. Just impossible.....for us anyway. Beth Moore called those people who are difficult to love "testy" and "foe". The people who are just difficult, annoying, those who just suck the life right out of you(testy). Or, the ones who have hurt you so deeply there is no going back (foe). And yet:
" By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another,"
- John 13:35
And:
"My command is this: love each other as I have loved you."
- John 15:12
Well, that's pretty clear, isn't it? Unfortunately, the Bible doesn't say, "Love when it's easy. Don't love when it hurts or when it's annoying. Only love when it feels good." I just can't find that scripture anywhere. Rats! We are human. I am completely human on every level. When someone hurts me, I get out my bricks and build that wall. By golly, I'm protecting myself from that happening again! No more of that! Is there a scripture about it being ok to build walls like that? Can we add it?
The truth , as Beth is trying to help us grasp in this study, is that we can't do it. We can't love supernaturally on our own. We don't have it in us. Not by ourselves. But we DO have it in us through accessing the power of the One who asks us to do it. You see, there is nothing.....NOTHING......He asks us to do that He won't give us the ability to do. I've experienced it myself, and have read examples of others who have as well. I know you have heard of stories of people who have even forgiven their child's killer. Wow. Now that's impossible.....for us. But:
"Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
- Matthew 19:26
I can't begin to uncover the truths we have examined about love in the retreat and bible study we are continuing in one blog post. Can't even hope to scratch the surface of the insight He gives us when we study and meet together.....that's a subject for another blog. But I can confidently say this....His Word is true. He will accomplish the impossible in us if we seek, ask, and wait. He will love us so much we won't be able to resist. And then, we in turn, can love others the way He asks us to. To show them His face through our actions. You see love is not a feeling, its a verb. An action. When we realize love is all we need, that is HIS love is all we need, then we can show that love to others. And that's what our world, our families, our churches, our friends, our schools, and our neighborhoods need desperately. Love.
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