LOVE VALUES THE OTHER PERSON

Let's not confuse Christian love with its modern counterfeits - lust, sentimentality, and gratification. While love is a wonderful, warm feeling, it is not only a feeling. In fact, according to the Bible, Love is primarily an active interest in the well-being of another person. Love acts for the benefit of others. According to the scripture, Love is a fruit of the spirit...Galatians 5:22-23 and as you express Love, the Father is glorified and you bear much fruit. God loved us not because we had something to offer him, but rather because He had something to offer us. "For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). God loved us so that He could demonstrate His mercy to us in the person of His Son. A Pastor officiated at a wedding and the nervous groom said how much do I owe you for this?" And the Pastor smiled and looked at the groom and said, "Aw, just pay me what she's worth." This Pastor made a lot of money from weddings, because to each man his new bride was of extravagant value. In like manner, everyone around us is of incredible value to God as a potential object of His mercy. His One and only Son died in our place. Because pEople matter so much to Him, they ought to matter to us. And, we, therefore, need to love and place value on everyone as He placed value and His unconditional love on you.