“…Add to brotherly kindness love…and in [exercising] brotherly affection [develop] Christian love” (2 Peter 1:7 AMP).
This charity, or Christian love, is the God-kind of love. This is the kind of love God functions in. It is unselfish, and it always operates in forgiveness. It is not dependent on feelings, saying, “I will love you if you treat me good.” Instead it says, “I love you regardless of what you do.” That’s the way God is. Thank God that He loves us that way.
Some people know how to confess God’s Word. They know how to speak to mountains and see them removed. But they will stumble and fall if there is no real love functioning in their lives. The Word of God tells us that faith works by love (Gal. 5:6).
We need to confess the love of God over our life. Confess First Corinthians 13:4-8. Where it says ‘love’ or refers to love (it) place your name there. Where it says, “Love endures long…” say, I endure long….”
As you speak the Word of God over yourself, you will become just what you say – a Christian walking in the love of God and faith of God.
Love Is the Ultimate God-like Quality
When you add this love to your faith, and you begin believing God for others instead of yourself, you believe God to save the lost instead of spending all your time praying for God to take care of your own needs. You care the work of the Lord being done, because the work of the Lord is to help others.
You will care not just in your heart but also in your actions. You will believe God for food to give to the homeless, for clothes to give to the naked. You will believe Him to help you have time to visit the sick. You will believe Him for money to give into His work so that others may be saved. You will care about what is happening in all the cities of America, and you will want to see His ministry spread throughout the globe!
You wonder why some Christians seem to can’t serve God enough. It is because they operate in the God-kind of love – Christian love. They let love abound in their heart. And as you meditate and confess the Word of God concerning this kind of love, then this love will abound in your heart.
Scripture References: 1 Cor. 13:4-8; Gal. 6:10
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Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).