Unity of the family of God is not built upon the same ills that affect families in the natural but on spiritual perspectives that are founded on the truth of God’s word. Our ability to accept others who are not of the same race, ethnicity, and/or culture is governed by the love we are to express toward them. Phil 1:8-10 (NKJV) For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
The love written here is AGAPE, the God kind of love that is to abound more and more, even to the full extent of its development, this is not the typical affectionate and emotional PHILEO that occurs by social activity. But the kind of love that comes from being an active family by the Spirit of God. As I said, a relationship with unbelievers provides no spiritual atmosphere capable of transformation and/or perfection of AGAPE in us.
Now, I am going to say some things many of you will not like as it reflects poorly on our ability to love as the word says we should, but it is necessary to make this known so we can grow beyond these immature actions and be who God says we are. 1 Cor 13:3-10 (BBE) 3 And if I give all my goods to the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it is of no profit to me.
How many of you were taught sacrifice is just a way of life for believers and you must be willing to die for a witness or testimony of Jesus, and all loss or lack as a result of ministry shows His love. This is a religious application of the truths regarding anyone’s sacrifice for Christ’s sake. The reason I make that statement is because it is not done based on Agape love, but on a love of self, as it helps to rectify any failure one may have in seeing life as God sees it for all His creation. For centuries leadership has had the idea that sheep are expendable assets for their work of ministry some even see them as helpless members of the flock to be slaughtered over and over again through tithing and burnout of doing religious works.
4 Love is never tired of waiting; love is kind; love has no envy; love has no high opinion of itself, love has no pride; 5 Love’s ways are ever fair, it takes no thought for itself; it is not quickly made angry, it takes no account of evil;. Agape is a supernatural love founded upon spiritual principles woven throughout the word of God. Thus, based on the truths of what is said here and in other areas of the word there is no way one could deem others as non-essential to the cause of Christ. To do so would reflect Agape is not the manner of love being exercised toward all of God’s offspring.
6 It takes no pleasure in wrongdoing, but has joy in what is true; 7 Love has the power of undergoing all things, having faith in all things, hoping all things. 8 Though the prophet’s word may come to an end, tongues come to nothing, and knowledge have no more value, love has no end. This love we call Agape is eternal in its working as it is the very nature of God who also has no end. If we add to this the fact anyone in Christ is an eternal essence then Agape is to reflect exactly what the word says it should.
9 For our knowledge is only in part, and the prophet’s word gives only a part of what is true: 10 But when that which is complete is come, then that which is in part will be no longer necessary. While we know by scripture God does not see us as perfect there is one thing in scripture that we can become perfect at, it is in Agape the very love of God received as part of our transformation and essential to our dominion.
1 John 4:7-13 7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
If no one’s sacrifice except that of Jesus Christ the son of man, who is the Son of God, can change anyone’s sinful status in the sight of God, then why sacrifice others in the name of Christ? I said I would say things you would not like, but this is to bring to our perception that Agape is a love not built on our sacrifices but on one sacrifice, Jesus’ life given for all. Spiritually mediocre children of God are often sacrificed by leadership for sake of ministry so that the dynamics of the works being done are never seen as ineffective. This is seen in the fact ministries today no longer see the benefit in bible study groups or home cells or even small group gatherings. And many no longer provide subject-specific teaching on all things from the scriptures.
Math 5:43-48 43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; There is learning here that takes us toward perfection in Agape that is only seen through eyes that see us as the Father sees us. Love in the perspective of God’s nature is not loving, that sees others as just ministerial assets or liabilities but as equal in value of love among us for all the creation of humanity.
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Until the day we will see all things clearly as God we are to be transformed to be as He is in nature, loving as He loves, and becoming what the word says about us. Without mediocrity of things revealed by the Spirit of God for a spiritual transformation into the very sons and daughters of our heavenly Father.
