Testing Your Godliness - 3: Love From the Center of Who You Are - Santosh Poonen - June 22, 2014
http://rlcfchurch.org/testing-your-godliness River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The central message is that the true test of godliness is the depth and nature of our love, which must be rooted in the understanding that God Himself is love. The speaker emphasizes that this divine love is an unchangeable nature, not merely a feeling. He concludes by stating that the ultimate test of our love is our ability to love our enemies, which requires a divine love that surpasses human capacity.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
What is true love?The world has confused love with a fuzzy feeling, but God's true love is a consuming fire that seeks the genuine best spiritual interests of others.1 John 4:8
God's nature is loveJust as human nature makes humans who we are, God's essential nature is love, which means He remains love even when we cannot feel or see it.
Living by faith in God's wordWhile human relationships rely on tangible contact, spiritual living requires faith in God's declaration that He is love.
Loving your enemiesLoving friends is normal human behavior, but loving those who persecute and hurt us requires a divine love that goes beyond human capacity.Matthew 5:46–47
The baptism of the Holy SpiritWhen we receive the Holy Spirit, God's love is poured out into our hearts to overflow like a river rather than remaining stagnant.Romans 5:5
The love of Christ compels usWhen the Holy Spirit takes control of our lives, His love compels us to pour ourselves out for others, even those we once considered enemies.2 Corinthians 5:14
Running the race to winChristians are called to thrive by letting the Holy Spirit drive their lives completely, casting aside temporary distractions and hindrances.
Drying up and going deepWhen our human ability to love runs dry, it is a good sign that we must let our roots go deep down into God like a seed dying in the ground.
The law versus loveThe law permitted an eye for an eye for unconverted people, but born-again believers are called to a higher standard of love inspired by God's nature.
The goal of our instruction is loveThe ultimate destination and summary of the entire Bible is unadulterated love that comes from a pure heart.
Overcoming evil with goodWe cannot overcome evil by returning evil; true divine love finds a way to do good to the very person who has hurt us.Romans 12:21
The example of Jesus when struckWhile Jesus did not fight back with swords, He calmly asked why He was struck, showing that being meek does not make a believer a doormat.
Forgiving those who tarnish our reputationWhen people speak evil against us, divine love allows us to forgive them readily and care more about God's name than our own.
Love without hypocrisyLove must come from the center of who we are rather than being a superficial outward performance.Romans 12:9–10
Being creative with hospitalityDriven by the Holy Spirit, believers should be inventive in showing hospitality and honoring others, even those who have caused harm.
Associating with the lowlyTrue church community is built not by seeking out the important people, but by actively finding and loving the nobodies.
