Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians chapter 13:
1 If I were to speak with eloquence in earth’s many languages, and in the Heavenly tongues of angels, yet I didn’t express myself with Love, my words would be reduced to the hollow sound of nothing more than a clanging cymbal.
Agape Love must be the motivation of all words I speak else they become noise and are essentially worthless and will not endure the test of time.
2 And if I were to have the gift of prophecy with a profound understanding of God’s hidden secrets, and if I possessed unending supernatural knowledge, and if I had the greatest gift of faith that could move mountains, but have never learned to Love, then I am nothing.
If gifts and revelation from Above as well as great faith are attained but I do not operate and speak from Love, then I am nothing! In order to imitate FATHER, I must have a motivation of Love. But if I fail to walk and talk in Love, then I am not a true imitator of HIM and I am still immature.
3 And if I were to be so generous as to give away everything I owned to feed the poor, and to offer my body to be burned as a martyr, without the pure motive of Love, I would gain nothing of value.
When the rich young ruler came to Jesus, Jesus tested the level of Agape Love in the young man’s heart. When Jesus instructed him to give all his wealth to the poor, the young man’s response revealed the depths of his heart. In Matthew 19, Jesus responds and challenges the young man:
20 “But I’ve always obeyed every one of them without fail,” the young man replied. “What else do I lack?”
21 Jesus said to him, “If you really want to be perfect (mature), go now and sell everything you own. Give your money to the poor and your treasure will be transferred into Heaven. Then come back and follow me for the rest of your life.”
22 When the young man heard these words, he walked away sad, for he had great wealth.
23 Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said, “Listen. Do you understand how difficult it is for the rich to enter into heaven’s kingdom realm? 24 In fact, it’s easier to stuff a heavy rope through the eye of a needle than it is for the wealthy to enter into God’s Kingdom realm!”
Those who have joined with us to give to the poor in this ministry should only give out of Agape Love for the kids in need. If you are giving out of duty, then stop. We have been writing with a focus on Agape Love for the past 15 years and so I trust those who are giving do so from a willing heart of Love. This is what my wife and I do and FATHER honors our intent.
Paul continues by The Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians chapter 13:
4 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.
I have never considered myself as a writer thus I write as I am moved by The Holy Spirit WHO happens to be a gifted Writer. I am simply a willing vessel. As I have matured IN HIM, I trust that the writings have been of greater value to the readers of this site. Thankfully, FATHER is patient and kind to me so I purpose to imitate HIM in these writings.
Each of us are at different levels of maturity and I trust some of my past failures will provide comfort to those who have had similar failures, knowing that FATHER’S great grace and mercy are more than sufficient in dealing with those failures. Jesus’ Blood was and is more than enough!
5 Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honor. Love is not easily irritated or quick to take offense. 6 Love joyfully celebrates honesty and finds no delight in what is wrong.7 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.
I am the Eternal optimist when it comes to hoping that people will change and embrace the Love of GOD in their hearts. I put actions behind that hope as I purpose to fully submit to the leading of The Holy Spirit.
FATHER told me in 2005 to begin focusing specifically on Agape Love. What I found out was that I was sorely lacking… even though I initially thought otherwise. There was definitely more change required in order for me to fulfill my calling. Jesus told us in Luke 12:48b:
“For those who have received a greater revelation from their Master are required a greater obedience. And those who have been entrusted with great responsibility will be held more responsible to their Master.”
There are those who shy away from responsibility and want others to take on the accountability of FATHER’S mandates. Since I know that The Holy Spirit is greater than me and operates inside of me, I simply carry out His instructions without regard to the difficulty and/or inconvenience. My part is to be obedient whereas His part is to prepare the way for success.
When we fully understand our place in Christ, we realize that we cannot shame and disrespect others for we were in similar situations ourselves. We must let The Holy Spirit convict the hearts of men thus we must not be “manipulators” using words of shame and disrespect. Love does not manipulate. Let our words bring forth life!