4-5). Real love will not look out for just its own interests but is genu inely concerned about others. Are we examples for Christ in this man ner? Christ has given us a new heart, therefore, being cleansed by His Spirit, we should be sensitive to the needs of those around us. It is a direct Biblical command which we must follow day-by-day. Love demonstrates a deep con cern for others not just because of a mere social consciousness. It must come from something far deeper from within. What we refer to is a new heart provided through our eternal redemption. Anyone can fake love. Some married cou ples have been doing this for years. Paul's concept is not of this nature. It has a much higher and holier purpose and goal. Our hearts must first have been sensitized by Christ. The last phrases for our goals in being an example are "in spirit, in faith, and in purity." Wrapped to gether this is a picture of a quality of life that cannot be imitated. These all must obviously flow from within. They are references to the inner character. The idea is of un derstanding or seeing what is tak ing place, and then responding wisely. This is embodied in "con science." We must have a good vision of what is taking place all about us. What we do as proper examples will reveal godly discern ment. Paul has reminded us that there are those who would seek to lead others astray into Satan's domina tion. For this reason, we must do all, not just in our power, but through the Holy Spirit, to live as proper examples for Him in every sphere of our beings and areas of influence. Page 27
great deal of talk today about love. Paul defines this for us in I Cor inthians 13 in a most explicit man ner. Really the topic should provide a life-long study. Just briefly we read, "Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaun- teth not itself, is not puffed up. Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil" (vrs.
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs