Love Always Wins – Love is the True Mark of Maturity
Special Guest Heidi Baker
December 12, 2021
Read Colossians 3:14
Loving someone is really easy to do when things are in a good place. But what happens when someone does something to offend us or hurt us? Are we quick to forgive?
In most cases, the latter doesn’t happen. We struggle at first to love and forgive that person when we’re mad, but we must remember that love is the true mark of maturity. Colossians 3:14 says, “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
If we declare that we love God with all our hearts, then we may also love our neighbor in the same manner. The inflow of God’s love into our lives should then outflow into the lives of others. Love never fails in God’s economy. Love always wins.
LOVE WINS
The body of Christ cannot function if there is no evidence of love. You cannot serve God and do His work if you do not love your fellow brethren. You cannot cry out for breakthroughs and expect miracles if you are not acting from a place of love. When you fight with your brothers and sisters, you are beating up the body of Christ. If the body of Christ is broken, then you are not making room for God to work.
John 15:12 says, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” The more you allow God’s love to flow through you, the easier it is to fulfill his calling. Therefore if you are doing His work, you must be filled with His love. It is the only way you can win souls and cause others to come to Him. It is through love that others will see Him and know that you belong to Him.
Your own salvation is an expression of God’s love. He loves us so much that He gave up His only son so that we might have a more abundant life.
Love wins every single time.
WE NEED TO FORGIVE
Do you think you could forgive someone that you love if they hurt you?
‘Forgive and forget’ is probably one of the most cliché quotes known to mankind, but to God, it is not cliché at all. It is actually what He desires. God wants you to let go of wrongdoings not because He doesn’t care about how others have treated you, but because He wants you to understand that everyone is deserving of forgiveness.
Colossians 3:13 says, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.” It’s time to forgive those who offended you and hurt you. It’s time to forgive those who are different from us and have done things to hurt the people we love. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Forgiveness is no easy task but it is what God calls you to do. He calls you to forgive because He is love. Forgiving and letting go when someone does you wrong is love. God is love and love is the true mark of maturity.
We don’t deserve salvation, it’s a free gift.
Can you give a free gift of grace?
LOVE THOSE WHO ARE DIFFERENT FROM YOU
Trying to love someone who has different values from you or lives a different lifestyle from you can be difficult. You may find yourself asking why must I forgive someone who did something I wouldn’t do, and furthermore, even love someone who has done the most unimaginable things?
But do you know that you make the biggest impact when you show love to those who thought they don’t deserve it? You are not called to determine who is right or wrong, but you are called to love. Colossians 3:14 says, “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
When you ask God for grace and love and to remove anger, hatred, bitterness, anxiety, fear, depression, and unforgiveness, you can fulfill God’s plan. You can heal the sick, touch the lepers and go to the greatest places of darkness because you only have authority when you have love.
It’s time you start loving with a radical love.
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
How can you show love in your country, family, and church?
Who can you show radical love to today?
Are you holding unforgiveness against someone because they did something that hurt you? Will you choose to forgive those you have offense with?
