Love Never Fails

(This was my Call to Worship Exhortation on Feb 13th, the day before Valentine's Day)

Valentines Day is tomorrow – and so listen again to what love is – and Who love is –

Jesus said, John 15:9-17 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another.

Paul later defines true love – he writes, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of love - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails…

That is why God has summoned You, His people, brothers and sisters in Christ, to come before His presence with thanksgiving and joy. Love never fails – and God is love. He has never failed. He never will. He accomplishes all that He intends through and in His love – the Father’s love for the Son, the Son’s love for the Father, the Sending of that Love in the Holy Spirit who causes us to live and love in the abiding love of the Triune God – and therefore to love one another in other-worldly ways – ways that should not make sense to the rest of the world – but they do to those who know the love of God. Far beyond the sentimental Hallmark moment of Valentine’s Day – Jesus commands you in His name and in the power of His Holy Spirit – love one another – as I have loved you.