I saw a photo recently of a sign in front of a church. The message read, “When the power of love becomes stronger than the love of power, we will experience peace.” I don’t believe the enemy will allow that to happen on a world-wide scale until he is finally defeated by Jesus Christ and His heavenly army at Armageddon at the end of the tribulation. But it is very possible on a personal level today. I have become very familiar with the power of love.
It was the power of God’s love that drew me to accept Jesus Christ as my personal savior. Did I experience shame, remorse, fear of eternal punishment and repentance? Sure I did, but it was Jesus’ description of God’s love for me in John 3:16 that sealed the deal. It was God’s powerful love that dropped me to my knees at the altar of that church to be spiritually reborn by His mercy and grace. I have continued to feel that powerful love and return it to Him to the best of my ability throughout my Christian life.
I am very familiar with the power of love between a husband and wife who also know God’s powerful love. The power of such love cannot be exaggerated. I’ve quoted before from the song Living on Love, but this line brings back strong memories from our marriage. “It sounds simple, that’s what you’re thinking, but love can walk through fire without blinking. It doesn’t take much; you’ll get enough, living on love.”
One of the fruit of God’s Holy Spirit within us is love. It is a powerful love that reaches out to everyone around us, even those who don’t love us. (Luke 6:32) It is one of the characteristics that separate us from the world around us and it is hard for others to ignore or understand. Our acts of kindness are that love put into action. (1 John 3:18) It is multiplied when shared between the sons and daughters of God. I cannot describe the power of the love between brothers and sisters in Christ that I experience every day in this stage of my life.
I haven’t mentioned the love of power for a very good reason. Once you know the power of love as I have described it, the desire to have power over others, or even over our own life, loses its attraction for us. To God alone be the power and the glory. Amen.