Taking Off a Pound of Flesh!

We’ve all either heard or read the following scripture from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 that says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails.”  Just reading all those tough requirements makes me want to break into a sweat. Especially on those days that I want to say, “I don’t wanna love!”  and I would rather sing ,“It’s my party and I will cry if I want to, cry if I want to!” In other words ,we all have our own self pity, and it’s all about me parties fighting love tooth and nail!

However, God’s word is very clear on this subject of loving people past their imperfections and sins. Love the person-hate the sin!  After all, God did this for us, so why wouldn’t we act in the same manner? If we say we love God, but can't forgive and  choose love then  we are hypocrites. We were created to love, molded by the very God who is love.   You are the one who has to make the decision to perfect love in your life. Making a decision to love and committing it to it -is no easy task.  In fact, there will be times when you would rather run a full marathon, be beaten by a stick then allow love to rule in your heart.   It will seem as if a pound of flesh is being torn off of you.  There will be times when it would be easier to become resentful, seek your own rights and retaliate into hiding or your corner of the ring then to choose love. 

 But we are called to a higher standard than this.  Love is in fact opposed to our senses or flesh! Our flesh is trained to make us happy. Therefore we seek to be selfish, and have our way.  But love should never seek its own way but rather think of the other person.  Ouch- that hurts!   Sacrifice is always required if you are going to love.  Just look at Jesus’s example on the cross.  I am sure He would of  have rather   taken a long beach vacation, slurping on some passionate fruit drink while  relaxing in His Father’s love ,but instead He decided to pass that love to us.  

In order to walk in love, you must be willing to take off a pound of flesh! Some days or seasons, two or more pounds may be required! It starts with making a decision then committing to it throughout the day when you are tempted to come out of God’s Word.  Say things like, “ I will not be fretful, resentful or touchy and will choose not to take offense. I will forgive and choose to be a lover and not  a hater today.”  And when you do- you go free! Also, you must learn to believe in love, knowing that its power is awesome and life changing for you and others around you affected by your choice. 

 Agape love is a new kind of control.  It helps you master every situation.  Learning to take  off flesh will become that much easier as you commit to it. Like anything, it starts with a choice.  What will your choice be today?  How much flesh do you need to take off today when concerning love?  I love what E.W Kenyon says about  agape love, “a new kind of selfishness”- You no longer seek your own success, yet your success is guaranteed-gotta  LOVE that!

Speaking of LOVE- Here is our Movie Quotes for today! Be the first to take a guess and win a point towards our Valentine's Giveaway

1)"My darling girl, when are you going to understand that being normal is not necessarily a virtue? It rather denotes a lack of courage."

2) "You will never know love unless you surrender to it."

3) "I'd rather die tomorrow than live a hundred years without knowing you."

4) "Angels are like diamonds; each one is unique and cannot be created, but can only be found."

5) "If your not willing to sound stupid, you're not worthy of falling in love."