Today’s study continues on from what we have been reading about, over the last few days – ‘to make it our objective throughout life to excel in loving’.
Consequently, today’s conclusion captures Selwyn’s thoughts on this subject: “Throw your will on the side of love, of excelling in love, and the universe [I don't think the 'universe' can do anything - really, it's all God's work. I add this comment, because they are some who think that there is some sort of cosmic force, 'out there', which can be called upon. There is no such force - it's either God, or Satan!] will throw its weight of happiness on your side. You are made to live that way, and all the medicines you take, all the advice you receive, all the praying you do, will be ineffectual unless you throw your will on the side of outgoing love. So seek to excel in love, not for what you get, but for what you can give. It is the best of all ambitions.”
In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, we read [1 Cor. 13:1-7, NLT]: “If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. … “
To love each other – in the same way as God loves us – is the nature of eternal life!
Would you love life?
Today’s study continues on from what we have been reading about, over the last few days – ‘to make it our objective throughout life to excel in loving’.
Consequently, today’s conclusion captures Selwyn’s thoughts on this subject: “Throw your will on the side of love, of excelling in love, and the universe [I don't think the 'universe' can do anything - really, it's all God's work. I add this comment, because they are some who think that there is some sort of cosmic force, 'out there', which can be called upon. There is no such force - it's either God, or Satan!] will throw its weight of happiness on your side. You are made to live that way, and all the medicines you take, all the advice you receive, all the praying you do, will be ineffectual unless you throw your will on the side of outgoing love. So seek to excel in love, not for what you get, but for what you can give. It is the best of all ambitions.”
In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, we read [1 Cor. 13:1-7, NLT]: “If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. … “
To love each other – in the same way as God loves us – is the nature of eternal life!