Imagination and Vision

Imagination and Vision: The Dimension of Love

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love (1 John 4:7-8).

Love is the totality of God’s nature. This is beyond someone having love in his heart or the ability to love; it means that He’s love personified. God is love! And because He’s love, He doesn’t have the capacity to hate; it’s not possible for God to hate. Hate is of the darkness. God is light, and in Him, there’s no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). The Bible says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17).

Someone may reference Romans 9:13 and ask, But didn’t God say, “…Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated?” (Read Malachi 1:2-3).

This is where understanding the place of poetry and prophecy, and the dichotomy of expression in the Scriptures come in.

The language of the Prophets in the Old Testament shouldn’t always be interpreted at face value; you’d have to look through the words of other Prophets to interpret them. You’d also have to judge their communication in line with the revelation of God that we see in the New Testament, in the person of Jesus.

God is love. When the Holy Spirit reveals God to you and you get to know Him, His love will dominate you. This is because the more you love Him, the more like Him you become. As you meditate on His love for you, you’ll find yourself demonstrating that same love in your life.

You’re a product of love. Let the love of God in your spirit dominate you. It’s something you do. The Bible says for us not to love only in words, but in deeds as well (1 John 3:18). Be like God whose essence is love, because as He is, so are you in this world.

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another (John 13:34).

We’re in the last days, and it’s our discovery, and expression of the love of Christ that’ll usher us into that place where we’ll be ready for the King’s expected return. That’s what’s going to get us prepared for the rapture of the Church, and take us to the highest level of His grace. The earlier you make that discovery, the better. There’re no two ways about it: you have to walk in love.

A good number of Christians don’t know what it is to walk in love. It’s amazing how people carry out ministry for Christ without knowing that love is truly all that matters. It makes no difference what you do for the Lord; if it’s not from a heart of love, it’s useless. Be love-inspired all the time. Speak the love-language. Transmit love through your words and actions.

Galatians 6:7 says, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked….” Someone may deceive himself and pretend to be walking in love, but the Bible says God searches the heart. He sees your heart; and He knows whether or not you’re motivated by love or by selfishness. One sure way you can measure your love-walk is from your tongue—your communication. James explained thus: “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body” (James 3:1-2).

Tame your tongue to be gracious, and affectionate. Be inspiring in your communication. Let people remember you for how glorious, inspired, and strengthened you made them feel from the words they received from you. Your words locate you. They determine whether you’ve discovered His love.

It doesn’t really matter what anybody thinks about you or what you say or think about yourself; what matters most are the words that come out of your mouth every day, irrespective of who you’re talking to: God, men, yourself, circumstances or nature. Be sure that your words and actions transmit the love of God that’s in your heart.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

1 John 3:1 says, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” The word, “bestowed” also means “lavished”; the Father has lavished His love on you. It’s love without limits. Think about it: we who shouldn’t have been known of God, who shouldn’t have ever come close to God are now, as a result of the superabundant love He’s lavished upon us, accepted of Him. We’re now called the sons of God. What an amazing reality!

What is love? It’s that endearing value of a person that gives you a sense of his or her importance to you as the object of your favour. Therefore, that God loves you means you’re special and valuable to Him. This understanding will change your life and give you an extraordinary mentality.

Consider a man like David, who had a unique perception of the love of God; his understanding of the Father’s love made him think differently. In Psalm 23:1 for example, he said, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” This alone lets you know what David thought about God, for which reason he was such a success, and his life, so victorious! He knew he was valuable to God, and the object of His favour.

Always take out time to meditate on the love of God. Think about His grace, kindness and the fact that if you were the only one on earth, the Lord Jesus would still have given His life for you. That’s how valuable you are to God. Dare to believe this and let it sink deep into your consciousness; it’ll change your life forever and give you a new confidence.

God loves you just the way you are. You didn’t have to “work” or impress Him to earn His love, for you could never earn it by your own works, but by grace. He chose to love you. All you have to do is accept His love as simply as it has come to you, and be conscious of His love for you always. Even now, lift your hands to Him and say, “Thank you Lord, for loving me with an everlasting love. Amen.”