EPISODE 609 – BE TENDER-HEARTED

Even our Lord Jesus demonstrated His love according to how the Father loves him.

“As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love” John 15:9 (KJV).

You continue or remain in His love by enjoying His love in a personal way and expressing that love to others.

Until you understand how love works, you cannot practice this love. We work out God’s love exactly as He has worked His love into us.

In 1 Corinthians 16, we see about fifteen (15) workings of God’s love.

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails….” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NKJV)

Paul the apostle, wasn’t trying to define love in these verses; he was laying bare the application of love. He was not speaking of romantic or sentimental relationships.

These things Paul listed are more radical and not mere squishy feelings. 

Love is how we live out our empowered relationship with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit.

The love we speak of here is the Greek word “agape”. It is different from “Eros” romantic or intimate love. It is deeper than the romantic love partners profess to each other. Neither is it, “Phileo” the strong love towards a relative.

Agape is the highest dimension of the love of God demonstrated through Christ.

He listed the things which love does and things love doesn’t do. These are not mere emotional depictions of love.

Beloved, without the life of Christ in you, 1 Corinthians 13 is meaningless and inapplicable.

Let’s take a close look at the first two items Paul the apostle mentioned:

1. Love suffers long
This is not suggesting that you are in endless trouble. This is basically a matter of patience. To say love is patient means love is persistent and purposeful. Patience is the foundational expression of love. It endures without quitting no matter the frustration. This is essentially rooted in the eternal patience of Christ’s love, which He demonstrated towards us.

2. Love is kind
This is to imitate the kindness of the love of Christ, towards others.
This is to act benevolently or to show oneself useful or helpful to others. To be kind is to be gentle or courteous and polite. This is seen in your benevolent deeds and in how you speak. It is not acting and speaking harshly, sharply, bitterly and disagreeably.

To be kind is to be mild and tender towards others.

Look at what Paul the apostle said to the brethren in Ephesus:

“Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 (Amplified Bible)

You must lay aside bitter words, temper tantrums, revenge, profanity, and insults towards the saints and others. Be an example of Christ’s loveliness to your world.

Let humility describe who you are as you dearly love one another.

Beloved, this is the truth about you, because the love of God is poured out into you. Don’t function contrary.

Reach out to a brother or a sister today and demonstrate these acts of patience and kindness.

This is the real you. Go and right the wrongs. Love tenderly!

Have a blessed day.