First off let me apologize for the time I’ve been away from you. I realize many of you have followed my ministry for a while and although I’ve dealt with some night seasons in my life I should have never wavered in what God has called me to do. I ask your forgiveness for my unfaithfulness to writing these message even though God continued to give me things to write to you. Today I wanted to talk with you about the “Totality of Love”. Totality is define as meaning the some total of something. From the perspective of love we often overlook the total cost of love because we only see it as the blissful, happy, and magical feeling/emotion/affection that we may have for someone. Although we have a clearly understand of what love is according to 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 and the promise it will never fail. However there is also things that can and will happen at the expense of love. The truth is love does cost but it also provides growth (Psalms 109:4-5) however there is also things that can and will happen at the expense of love when you have Godly love for someone/something. In John 3:16 it reads that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. During Jesus ministry he walked with 12 men that he would spend countless hours mentoring, teaching, helping, perfecting, discipling, and ultimately releasing into them into the will of God for their lives. It would be an accurate statement to say Jesus loved these men. However although love was present he still dealt with things such as betrayal from Judas (John 13:21-27). In this same passage it speaks of Jesus love for the disciple but he also dealt with denial from Peter whom he inquired of the betrayal (Matt. 26:34). Sometimes doubt can arise among individuals although love may be present. Although Jesus explained to the disciples about his death and resurrection we still find Thomas doubted that Jesus had risen and desired proof (John 20:24-29). That alone is a challenging thing to have to prove what exist when it should have been revealed through reception. Jesus still loved enough to prove to Thomas that it was him but he also so say blessed are they that have seen not and yet believe. The love God has a way of producing a supernatural belief in someone or something it is the very thing that twines what was to become what shall be. I believe Paul is one of the greatest examples because he did everything to go against God before his conversion. He literally persecuted the saints and from a fleshly prospective you could understand if he had cost him his life. However due to the will of God and the love of God, he saw fit to change the feet of Paul for his glory. He turned him from darkness to light and extended forgiveness unto him for what he has done (Acts 9). See you must understand even when we go against the will of God for our lives his unconditional love still covers us and allows us grace. Paul’s conversion brings even more clarity to 1 Peter 4:8 which reads, “Above all love covers a multitude of sin (Prov. 10:12).” When you think about love know what Godly love is but also have a consciousness that at the expense of love there may be times other things come up. As long as you understand the total picture of love it makes the process of forgiveness and reconciliation a lot easier when those things come up. Eventually just as Judas came to his senses about his betrayal according to Matthew 27:3-10 and he repented of his sin. Only the love of God can lead you to a place of repentance and forgiveness for one another. Be encourage that all things work together for the good of those who love him.
Quote: For if love is all you had to give than your wealth would be unmeasurable. Everything needs and desires love unconditionally. ~d.taylor
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