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Love. add to your faith… (2 Pet. 1:5-9). Previous Characteristics. faith - conviction of truth of divine things virtue - courage to choose right from wrong knowledge - understanding of God’s word self-control - mastery of thoughts, actions perseverance - staying the course
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Love add to your faith… (2 Pet. 1:5-9)
Previous Characteristics • faith - conviction of truth of divine things • virtue - courage to choose right from wrong • knowledge - understanding of God’s word • self-control - mastery of thoughts, actions • perseverance - staying the course • godliness - seeking first to please God • brotherly kindness - the special kinship and care we reserve especially for brethren
Introduction • love (agaph) – actively seeks the good of others, even at own expense • pinnacle of the spiritual graces given in the gospel (1 Cor. 13:13)(Col. 3:14) • not reserved, to be shown to all (Mt. 5:43-45) • best seen in God (Rom. 5:8)(1 Jn. 3:16; 4:8) • Christ-like love cannot be realized without the foundation of the previous graces
The Role of Love • binds the faithful together and to God • foundation of fellowship (Eph. 4:1-3, 15-16) • when personalities clash (Rom. 14:14-15) • when sin has been committed (James 5:19-20) (2 Thess. 3:14-15), forgiveness (2 Cor. 2:6-11) • demonstrates the love of God to the lost • mercy to the needy (James 2:1-13) • preaching the gospel to all (Mt. 9:36-38)
Growing in Love • reflect on love shown us by God • (1 Jn. 3:16)(Lk. 7:41-43)(2 Cor. 5:14-15) • make a choice to act towards our fellow man consistent with love(1 Cor. 13:4-8) • pray for growth, even of love(Phil. 1:9) • reject selfishness (Mk. 12:30-31)(Phil. 2:1-4)
Conclusion • of all these Christian qualities, love is the most obvious, but also the most difficult • it is the exercising of virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, and brotherly kindness, all for the purpose of God and others • yet, we will enjoy the fruit that is born through spiritual growth and faithfulness • keep growing into Christ! (2 Pet. 3:17-18)