J. RICHARD CHASE
given the word by these writers who were moved by the Spirit of God. What is love? Paul tells us in I Corinthians 13. John 15:13 and Romans 13:10, among many other passages, also aid in understanding this word. We cannot make Biblical love mean anything we want it to mean. God’s word has taken the time to define the concept. It is fixed and sure. Love is not only a Biblically defined word, it is a quality of character. Love is not just a word that describes feeling; it characterizes a way of life. The Christian is to possess the personal quality of Biblical love. Paul counsels us in Galatians 5:16 to “walk in the spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” After describing the natural life of man, he tells us what the spiritual nature of man is characterized by “ . . . love, joy, peace, longsuffering.. . . ” (Galatians 5:22 and 23) Love is neither an option nor a vague term that can mean anything we want it to mean. It is a quality of life that must prevail despite the circumstances. Would you say that a man was honest if he admitted that he regularly cheated when no one was watching. Honesty, if it is a qual ity of character, operates even when the circumstances are there for cheating. A generous person is one who shares despite limited re sources. The fruit of the spirit — or qualities of Christian character — prevail despite the circumstances. Love is to be a constant demonstration that we are far more concerned about Jesus Christ and others than we are about ourself. Page 5
Made with FlippingBook Annual report