LET LOVE LEAD

TEXT: Ephesians 5:2

When the first man (Adam) sinned, humanity was headed for damnation. The generations that were to come from Adam were going to be full of wickedness and ungratefulness to God. And it turned out so;

“And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5).

Yet in this state, God’s love was expressed and reflected in Jesus coming to die for the sin of mankind. Mankind deserved no mercy, but love prevailed. It was love that made God to look beyond the ungratefulness and unfaithfulness of man and to bring a cure for sin.

When you look around, there are people who humanly speaking may be said not to deserve you kindness, attention or assistance. They may have hurt you in the past either in words or in deeds. And for you, such people are written off – undeserving of mercy or forgiveness. They may be friends, families, colleagues, etc.

Dear friend, the first and best gift you must give to those who have hurt you is forgiveness. Yes, you must forgive. And depending on the conditions, you may not necessarily accept them back (everybody cannot be close to you or be your friend), but you must forgive from your heart no matter the hurt. Jesus said;

“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” (Matthew 5:44).

And when you have forgiven, you must not withhold good from them if it is in your power to give (Proverbs 3:27). You should not take vengeance. You should not seek vengeance in disguise. You should not conspire against them, and you should not wish them hell fire simply because they hurt you. Jesus does not wish even the worst offender hell (2 Peter 3:9).

The way to live this blessed life is to let love lead you. Don’t let emotions lead you. Don’t let friends or negative counsels lead you. Don’t allow hate or anger to lead you; let love lead you (Romans 5:5b). If you find yourself struggling to let go or to forgive, just ask God (in prayers) to help you to forgive and cause love to flow. You are supposed to be a love being of a love God. Part of God’s nature in you is love. Anything that seeks to upturn that nature is not of God, and so hate, unforgiveness, malice etc. are not of God.

In this month, let love take the lead. Where love leads, wounds heal. And grace to walk in love is made available to you in Jesus’ name. Amen.

(SPIRIT SWORD DAILY DEVOTIONAL – Thursday, 1st May, 2014. YOU CAN READ SPIRIT SWORD DEVOTIONAL AT: www.drwilliamsbukola.blogspot.com OR Visit www.treasuredhouse.org)