THE WILL TO LOVE - Vital Christianity

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16CHAPTER 2 FOURFOLD DIMENSION OF <strong>LOVE</strong>
17“We will not find God’s way for us through either stubborn independence nor inchildish dependence. We will find maturity only in the third alternative—in ahealthy interdependence on other Christians, through a fellowship where wecan learn to be ourselves in an honest and loving relationship with others.” 1–Wally HowardAn independent spirit is a curse to the church, the body of Christ. In fact, an independentspirit as a part of the body of Christ is a contradiction. For a body, by definition, is made up ofmany members, and if we are a part of that body we cannot be independent. Yet this is whatmany Christians insist upon.In our Western world (and especially the United States) we have stressed individualism,independence. In some ways this has been a good thing. For it has catapulted our young nation togreat technological achievements. But the problem is that this individualism and independencehave also made us insensitive to the needs of our people as a whole. For we have been toopreoccupied with our own personal needs and advancement. We have come to call our world a“dog eat dog” world. “Each man for himself” has become a catch-phrase. “My” success, not“our” success has become the emphasis.INTERDEPENDENCE IS GOD’S METHODWhile the Christian faith is a personal matter, it is not an individualistic thing. TheChurch of Jesus Christ by definition is a body of believers. Independence has no part in the bodyconcept. Not independence, but interdependence is God’s pattern.As Christians we are members of the body, the Church (1 Co 12:12-27). By definitionwe belong to each other. We are not an island by ourselves. Rather, everything we do or don’tdo affects all the other members of the body (vv. 14-17,21). Paul says, “If one part suffersevery part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it” (12:26).WE MUST BE VULNERABLEI come across Christians who do not belong to any body of believers, a church. Theyclaim they practice their faith by themselves. And usually the reason they don’t belong to achurch is that they have been hurt or have not found what they consider the right church forthem. Since when did Christ promise that we would not get hurt? Since when did Christ pledgeease and tranquility to His followers? To be a part of a group of people, including the church,automatically puts us in a vulnerable position where there will be friction. But since when didChrist promise us that we would not have to be vulnerable? Getting involved in the lives ofpeople is impossible apart from vulnerability. But that is the price of love.
Page 1 and 2: 1THE WILL TO LOVELars Wilhelmsson
Page 4 and 5: 4He who loves calls us also to love
Page 6 and 7: 6We live in a world starved for lov
Page 8 and 9: 8“Division has done more to hide
Page 10 and 11: 10D. L. Moody painfully recognized
Page 12 and 13: 12A COMMANDGod knew it would be har
Page 14 and 15: 14The familiar story of David and G
Page 18 and 19: 18Our faith and love are tested whe
Page 20 and 21: 20STORGEStorage is the word used in
Page 22 and 23: 22PHILIAThe third word for love is
Page 24 and 25: 24The pre-Christian use of the word
Page 26 and 27: 26HOW DO I LEARN TO LOVE?1 John 4:7
Page 28 and 29: 28Prolongs lifePrevents or cures ma
Page 30 and 31: 30We can only love to the degree to
Page 32 and 33: 32THE DISCIPLINE OF LOVEHebrew 12:5
Page 34 and 35: 34Holiness, not happiness, is God
Page 36 and 37: 36God’s discipline is a sign that
Page 38 and 39: 38“Moreover, we have all have hum
Page 40 and 41: 40CHAPTER 5 SERVICE: LOVE IN OVERAL
Page 42 and 43: 42To love Jesus is to love His peop
Page 44 and 45: 44Quickly my bubble popped, the ide
Page 46 and 47: 46TIMOTHY AS AN EXAMPLEAccording to
Page 48 and 49: 48Jesus Christ came not to be minis
Page 50 and 51: 50CHAPTER 6 SHOULD WE LOVE OURSELVE
Page 52 and 53: 52How different from the words of J
Page 54 and 55: 54At creation, God was pleased with
Page 56 and 57: 56As far as we know the apostle Pau
Page 58 and 59: 58CHAPTER 7 LOVING OUR ENEMIES
Page 60 and 61: 60insults us or injures us or griev
Page 62 and 63: 62The last part of Hebrews 11 catal
Page 64 and 65: 64“You have heard that it was sai
Page 66 and 67:
66“Love indiscriminately, therefo
Page 68 and 69:
68It was while we were hideous to G
Page 70 and 71:
70Love is the most durable power in
Page 72 and 73:
72LOVE’S TRUE TEST Part IJohn 14:
Page 74 and 75:
74Suppose the boy paused to ask,
Page 76 and 77:
76Here we have the great God whom t
Page 78 and 79:
78The God who has revealed that “
Page 80 and 81:
80“Faith and obedience are bound
Page 82 and 83:
82“Cheap grace is the preaching o
Page 84 and 85:
84Service in the name of Christ is,
Page 86 and 87:
86While they claimed Jesus as Lord,
Page 88 and 89:
88Ralph Sockman, a preacher, noted
Page 90 and 91:
90CHAPTER 10 LOVE IS ALSO FEELING
Page 92 and 93:
92The Bible states, “As He (Jesus
Page 94 and 95:
94The author of the book of Hebrews
Page 96 and 97:
96On the day of Pentecost the early
Page 98 and 99:
98In speaking of Jesus Faber says:
Page 100 and 101:
100the sake of God; if we are in ou
Page 102 and 103:
1025“When God Disciplines in Love
Page 104 and 105:
104BIBLIOGRAPHYSt. Augustine, The C
Page 106:
106
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