It is true that living by love is not easy and will cost you. When you live by this JESUS-KIND OF LOVE, men will say you are stupid and out of your mind. Apostle Paul was accused of that same thing:
If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.
(2 Cor 5:13)
And in his defense, Paul said, something was constraining him.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 AMP
For the love of Christ controls and urges and impels us, because we are of the opinion and conviction that [if] One died for all, then all died; And He died for all, so that all those who live might live no longer to and for themselves, but to and for Him Who died and was raised again for their sake.
The love of Christ was controlling and urging and impelling him. Love was constraining him. The Weymouth translation says, ‘For the love of Christ overmasters us’. Wow…We can’t help ourselves…we are being impelled by love. Hayaaa!!
In the same way that Christ died for us because of love, this same Christ in us enables us to live for God and for others by Love. When we learn the secret of this strange love, it will gain the mastery over us – it will overwhelm us. It will make us God-like lovers. There will be no fear of man and no fear of what might happen. Glory to God!
Sometimes we wonder whether people will not take advantage of us if we continue to love; and that we might end up losing. NOO, beloved. You shouldn’t fear and worry about that at all. LOVE DOES NOT AND CANNOT FAIL.
1 Corinthians 13:8 AMPC
Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. As for prophecy (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth].
This is a true statement and worthy of all acceptation:
IF YOU FOLLOW THE LAW OF LOVE, YOU CANNOT FAIL.
In the end you will see that your Love triumphed over everything. You will see.
Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” – (Rom 12:20-21)
The way to conquer evil is not to repay with another evil. Darkness trembles in the presence of light; Evil dissipates in the presence of Love/Good. Do not repay evil with evil, maintain your love as Jesus did, and you will not fail.
So what do you do when you have sincerely loved and people have responded with evil? When your good has been repaid with hurt and pain and abuse, what should you do? I know It will feel good to revenge and pay evil with evil.
But I ask myself, what will love do? What will Jesus do? And the answer stared right at my face:
‘But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you. For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.’ – 1 Peter 2:20-23
Sometimes we forget, that there is a judge of life who neither sleeps now slumber, and we forget that He is a just judge. And He said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay” (Romans 12:19). Don’t let someone’s evil make you an evil person. Maintain love and focus on being good, and I tell you, you will receive the rewards in various forms you never associated with it; and in addition, eternal rewards in His everlasting kingdom. LOVE DOES NOT AVENGE ITSELF and LOVE DOES NOT FAIL. Shalom!
