Godly Love

Godly Love

If you are filled with godly love, then you think of the others, of each individual—what they need to hear, what could serve them for their best in each situation. Then love is precisely this: you say and do it without thinking about what you personally could risk thereby; for example, being misunderstood, or that the person concerned, or others, could take offense.

The usual, complete misunderstanding of the love of Christ is that people think it should always necessarily be something sweet and pleasant. You can hardly make a bigger mistake.

Needs are very different. Now there is a need for reminders and exhortations, and then for instruction. Now there is a need for correction, then for chastening; now for comfort, then for gentleness; now for severity and warning, then for praise and honor. Now there is a need for silence, then there is a need to speak; now there is a need for being immediately in subjection, then there is a need for being firm and immovable like an anvil. Now there is a need for being open, then there is a need for being closed (toward talkative people); now there is a need for a cold shower, then there is a need for ointment in the wound; now there is a need for defense, then for an attack; now it is time for reflection, but then it is important to go straight to the point; now there is a need for prompt action, etc., etc.

Doing or saying only what you according to your own judgment think is the very best—whether it hurts or not—is unblended, unfeigned, genuine, godly love without thinking at all about yourself.

Let us seek to be filled to the brim with this godly “substance,” with this propellant, with this “super gasoline” without any sediment on the bottom.

Godly love bears all things and everyone! This is an amazing “substance”! It never becomes sick and tired of anyone!!!

Godly love is something to be filled with!