I am sure that there is going to be more given to me on this topic, and I probably should wait until I get more on it, but I am excited at the prospect of what He has been “brewing” in my spirit for the past few days.
I hear in the gentle winds of Heaven again this morning, “My people are afraid to love”. That is an interesting statement and concept… “afraid to love”. Lord… give me the full version of what this means!!
I will open with a scripture to begin the discourse: 1Jn 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has torment. He who fears has not been perfected in love.
There is no fear in love. When we are able to love – it is only because we have overcome fear. Why would anyone be afraid to love someone? Fear. Fear of rejection, fear of guilt by association, fear of losing something within ourselves – like self esteem, fear of being made fun of, fear of being mocked, fear of being shunned. These are all fears brought by the enemy when “love” is not only a possibility, but a command.
I can think of several examples… When you love your father that your mother hates – it jeopardizes the relationship with your mother… so you either love under cover or choose not to love at all. Or, perhaps loving someone who has a serious illness… fear that it would take so much of your time to care (or to show love). Loving someone of a different denomination or ideal or persuasion in the midst of a zealot in your own family – fear of violence and persecution breaks out. I know of someone whom I loved greatly that died – and that was not loved by some of those that are still alive – I find myself trying not to even speak about the one in the presence of those living.
I also had a friend who once went to prison because of a sin that was very grievous. To say I loved him or that I wanted to visit him was like speaking blasphemy in the presence of the religious and self-righteous people.
Fear keeps us from loving. We need to understand that just because we choose to love someone – it doesn’t mean we adopt or condone their sin or that we have chosen sides to love one greater than the other – it just means we’ve adopted God’s character to love in the midst of the adversity.
To choose not to love because of fear. This IS a spirit. To be prompted by the Lord to love someone unconditionally and with all of our heart is a Godly characteristic that is fought with great effort by the enemy. I think the greatest example is found in two places at the day of the salvation of man.
Mat 26:74 Then Peter began to curse. He said, “I swear to God, I don’t know the man!” As soon as he said this, a rooster crowed.
Mat 26:55-56 Then Jesus said to the crowd, “Why do you come to get me with swords and clubs as if I were a criminal. Every day I sat in the Temple area teaching. You did not arrest me there. But all these things have happened to show the full meaning of what the prophets wrote.” Then all of Jesus’ followers left him and ran away.
Everyone wants to be loved and accepted… all the time… but when you choose a path to love, this will not always happen. The enemy will come with “swords and clubs” as if you were a criminal.
To love is never an easy choice – and to follow that choice with an action of proclamation or action itself is just an inkling of what Jesus went through when He chose to love. God chose to love and they crucified His son. Jesus chose to love and they ran from Him. The Holy Spirit chooses to love and people say “it’s not from God”.
Today – when you are presented an opportunity to love… count the cost and realize that to love always comes with a battle.
1Pe 4:11-13 If your gift is speaking, your words should be like words from God. If your gift is serving, you should serve with the strength that God gives. Then it is God who will be praised in everything through Jesus Christ. Power and glory belong to him forever and ever. Amen. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
Worship with me Today: (The first song is one that Robin and I heard for the first time last night and we challenge that you sing it over your sickness, your depression, your inadequacies, YOUR FLESH!!!)
Streetfire Ministries 