The number one objective for every Christian should be to become like Christ. The only way to do this is to perfect the love of God in your life.

1. Love is a commandment, not an option (John 15:12).
   1. The love of God is not a human type of love, but a supernatural kind of love. It is not conditional.
   2. You know you have crossed from death to life by the love you bear for others (John 13:34-35).
      1. If you don't love others, you are still spiritually dead.
      2. You can't be born again and hate others.
   3. Walking in the love of God is a huge part of the Christian lifestyle; everything depends on it:
      1. The proper working of your faith.
      2. The manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit and the promises of God.
      3. The degree to which God can work on your behalf.
   4. As you perfect your love walk, you perfect everything that concerns you.
      1. Perfected love casts out fear.
      2. Believers should not fear.
   5. God wants you to love fervently, with a pure heart (1 Thessalonians 3:12).
      1. He wants your love to be unfeigned-not false (1 Peter 1:22).
      2. Selfishness is a force that works against the love of God.
   6. You cannot profit without love.
   
   
2. The love of God is not selfish or self-seeking (1 Corinthians 10:33, 13:5-7).
   1. Love gives, lust takes.
      1. If you are more concerned about fulfilling your own desires than fulfilling the desires of others, you are not walking in love.
      2. Example: Husbands or wives who insist that their spouses purchase a particular item when they know they cannot afford it.
   2. Selfishness always breeds hypocrisy.
      1. Don't just say "I love you" and pass up the opportunity to minister to someone.
   3. Selfishness is obsessed with self-preservation.
      1. Fear keeps you afraid of running out.
         
      2. Faith keeps you confident that you have in abundance.
         
      3. Prosperity is being able to bless someone else.
         
   4. Become possessed by the spirit of love.
   
   
3. Love is not touchy or easily provoked (1 Corinthians 13:5).
   1. Love does not take offense.
      
   2. Love doesn't say something that injures another person.
   
   
4. Love does not take account of the wrong done to it; it pays no attention to a suffered wrong (1 Corinthians 13:5).
   1. Love does not keep a record of offenses.
   2. Love is quick to forgive.
   
   
5. Love does not rejoice at injustice or unrighteousness (1 Corinthians 13:6).
   
   
6. Love bears up under everything; it bears all things (1 Corinthians 13:7).
   
   1. Love covers with silence; it protects people.
      
      1. It never uncovers scandal or reveals the flaws of others.
         
      2. Love wants others to "save face."
      
      
      

      Scripture References:

      • John 15:12
      • John 13:34-35
      • 1 Thessalonians 3:12
      • 1 Peter 1:22
      • 1 Corinthians 10:33
      • 1 Corinthians 13:5-7
      
      PASTOR ROBERT BAGONZA
   2. REDEEMED CHURC
   3. www.mrolec.org