Back in October, I posted a blog entitled “Weapons of War”. In this blog, I discussed that love was one of the weapons along with worship, prayer, meditation, identity in Christ, and the Word of God. It struck me that worship, prayer, meditation, identity in Christ, and the Word of God are all rooted in LOVE. As I studied 1 Corinthians 13, the love chapter, I realized that the description of love here corresponds to Galatians 5:22-23 about the “Fruit of the Spirit”. In 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7, love is described in the Passion Translation like this:

Love is large and incredibly patient. Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous when blessing comes to someone else. Love does not brag about one’s achievements nor inflate its own importance. Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honor. Love is not easily irritated or quick to take offense. Love joyfully celebrates honesty and finds no delight in what is wrong. Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up.

The bible tells us that God is love. 1 Corinthians 13 shows us the nature of God-LOVE. When we receive the Holy Spirit by faith in Jesus, we receive the nature of God that is expressed through the “Fruit of the Spirit”. Let’s look at Galatians 5: 22-23 in the Passion Translation.

But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails, gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit. Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless.

I really like how the Amplified version expresses the last verse: Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge]. Who brings charges against God’s people? The accuser of the brethren-Satan. If we are walking in love, then Satan can not bring any charges against us. The love of God will surround us as a shield:

Psalm 144:2 He’s my shelter of love and my fortress of faith, who wraps himself around me as a secure shield. I hide myself in this one who subdues enemies before me.

Love is our greatest weapon. Love opens the door to health and wholeness not only for ourselves but for others. 1 Corinthians 13 tells us that without love our actions and words are meaningless. Our goal, I believe, in the journey of life is to learn to love: God, ourselves, and others. Faith and hope are key factors but love trumps them all. Let’s look at Psalms 19:7-8:

⁷ The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the [whole] person; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

⁸ The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure and bright, enlightening the eyes.

⁹ The [reverent] fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether

Verse seven states that the law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the whole person. The law here is not the ten commandments but the New Testament command to love one another as Jesus has loved us. This is a hefty command because Jesus came to serve and not be served. He also gave up His life for us. The Lord’s perfect love makes us whole. Being “whole” means being well in mind, body, and spirit. Verse eight says the precepts, or the ways of the Lord, are right and rejoice the heart. His ways bring us joy. You may remember from previous blogs that when we are happy our heart releases atrial natriuretic hormone that gives us a since of peace and well-being. The command to love brings peace and light to our eyes. You have seen healthy people. Their skin glows and their eyes are bright. Verse nine is referring to worship as well as to the command or authoritative order to love. This is what Jesus commanded us to do– love others as He has loved us. God is love. In order to express this divine love, we must first understand that He loved us first. It is understanding the love of the Father, expressed through His son, that we can love others like we love ourselves. You truly can’t love others until you love who God has created you to be. Love changes everything. It is the love that Christ showed us that leads us to repentance or to a mind change.

I will leave you with this short video. I also have a new podcast on his very subject. Have a blessed day!

Listen to the newest episode of my podcast, Healthy mind healthy body: Weapons of War https://anchor.fm/allison-rolston-pa-c/episodes/Weapons-of-War-e37s6p