Dangers Surrounding Love, Part 4
David W Palmer
God is love, he pours love into our hearts, and he expects us to love. Yet there are some things, some ways, and some motivations he warns us not to love. Today we see three more of his cautions:
7. Don’t Preach Without Love
(Philippines 1:15–17 NKJV) “Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from good will: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.”
The apostle Paul wrote this from prison in Rome where he was awaiting trial. Apparently, some of his enemies were preaching about Jesus in an endeavor to make his outcome worse. Other people, however, were preaching Christ for the right reason: “out of love.” We note that in the next verse, Paul said he rejoiced because Jesus was being preached either way:
(Philippians 1:18 NLT) “But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice.”
The point is that it is possible to preach Christ without love. Although this may be of some benefit, it’s not right for us to do it.
We need to ensure that we are preaching Christ, and that we are conveying an accurate portrayal of who he is: as well as being the “way,” the “truth,” and the “life” (all of which should be depicted in and through us as we preach), Jesus is also love. Our preaching must reveal God as love, and come from a motivation of pure love. God’s true love will always bring the highest wellbeing to all those concerned—preacher, listener, leaders, and God. So don’t preach without love.
8. Don’t Forget that Love Must Be Tested
(2 Corinthians 8:8 NKJV) “I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others.”
(2 Corinthians 8:24 NKJV) “Therefore show to them, and before the churches the proof of your love and of our boasting on your behalf.”
This is a very interesting warning, one our flesh doesn’t like. The Holy Spirit reveals here that love may have to be tested and proved. We all know that our faith undergoes many tests and trials—because it needs to be found pure—and here we see that our love does too. A person may have the feelings of love, and may speak the words of love, but the sincerity of love is “proved” only by corresponding actions—and only as those actions are performed under duress. In the example above, the Corinthian people had promised to send some money to help brothers and sisters in crisis. Later, Paul was seeking proof of the sincerity of their love by seeing if they would really send it—even if they were facing hardship themselves.
Let’s learn from this warning that love will be tested, and let’s ensure that our love is genuine and sincere at all times. As John says: “let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18).
9. Don’t Forsake Your First Love
(Revelation 2:4 NKJV) “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”
This is one of the most serious warnings in Scripture where love is concerned. These words come from the resurrected Lord Jesus, and warn of an insipid temptation—that of becoming too “cool” in our first love. We indeed need to keep our love for God “white hot,” and keep our spiritual fervor on the boil as it says in Romans 12:10–11. By doing this, we can avoid being vomited out of his mouth as he warns in Revelation 3:16. This fate awaits all of those who leave their first love, and thus grow lukewarm:
(Revelation 3:16 NKJV) “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”
Today, I believe the Holy Spirit is challenging us to keep our love on the boil, and not to let it cool off in any way. He certainly doesn’t want us to lose our first love (more about this in the days to come). What’s more, he is challenging us today to preach the clearest sermon on love that we can—and if absolutely necessary, to use words to do it. Yes, he is exhorting us to have hot love for God, and to present ourselves as his message—clothed in absolute love that clarifies and advertises God’s love. But be warned: even this will be tested.
“Be devoted to each other in love. Excel at showing respect for each other. Never be lazy in showing such devotion. Be on fire with the Spirit. Serve the Lord.” (Romans 12:10–11 ISV & NIV)
