Act On Love
Posted by Gabe Vaughan, Director Social Media and Design on 9th Apr 2018
Love Always
I have never seen a person who is a perfect example of love all the time. Some people are better than others. Not because they always feel like being a loving person or because they don't ever get offended but because they have learned to act on love.
Patience
If love is not easily angered, then a person with a “short fuse,” who becomes angry easily, is not showing love. Love is called “patient” in verse 4 and both love and patience are listed as fruit of the Spirit in Galatians. Patience includes the ability to tolerate weaknesses in others without readily expressing anger. “Love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8); it doesn’t fly off the handle every time an offense occurs. Anger itself is not sinful. It's when we choose to respond with the 8 things that love is not ( Envy, Boastfulness, Pride, Dishonors others, Self seeking, Easily angered, Un forgiveness, Delights in evil) that it becomes sinful.
Anger
This is why Paul said, “‘In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry” (Ephesians 4:26). There are times when we become angry, but I can tell you that it is going to take a deliberate act to choose to respond in a loving way. The best part is that when we choose love it will guide us in the proper handling of anger. I don't think we will ever come to the point where we don't feel angry. Rather than pretend that we will never feel angry, James 1:19 says to be “slow to become angry”. Being hot tempered usually involves making snap judgments, seeking instant vindication, and refusing to grant second chances.
True Love
However, true love refuses to jump to conclusions, take revenge, or hastily judge anyone. The fact that love is “not easily angered” highlights God’s patient love for the world. “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). The next time you become angry use it as on opportunity to deliberately act on love. It is a choice that will change everything for you and others!