Working in Perfected Love (3)
Text: Deut. 7:6-8
John 13:33-38
When Peter declared he would lay down his life for Jesus, he was stating that his love for Jesus was agape. He probably meant it, but he didn’t have the capacity for this kind of love.
What he actually had the capacity for was phileo – which means fondness, an attachment for something, to take pleasure in a thing. To have affection for something or someone
It is based on emotions.
Some of us love God with human love – phileo. It is enthusiasm that drives us on at this point, but as we grow in knowledge the enthusiasm wanes.
However, we need both the knowledge and the enthusiasm to drive us on in our work for and walk with God.
The theologian Albert Barnes says this is the nature of phileo. As knowledge increases, enthusiasm wanes.
Let’s not make the mistake of saying phileo is totally undesirable, because phileo even on its own can achieve heroic feats.
John 21:15-17
When it comes to the things of God, you never boast on what you can do for God, but only rely on what He can do through you.
Before an assignment there’s a confession. Ministries are committed to people based on love and not just talents and abilities.
What is perfected love?
- (1 John 4:12) It is God’s love in its full expression (sacrificial love).
- (1 John 4:16) It is transformed human love (phileo). It’s a love that’s fully at rest in God’s love.
- (1 John 4:17) It is trusting love that’s unafraid of condemnation. This is because you know that it’s not your unstablephileo, but God’s agape that will take you too heaven.
Never judge your position in God by your feelings, your mood or your performance. (If you are judging your position in God by your performance, that means you are trusting in the flesh). Always judge your feelings to see that they always line up with your standing in Christ.
Even when you’re feeling bad or downbeat, your position in God is constant because He has told you that you are loved (Deut. 7:6).
Be confident of the fact that as long as you have placed your life in Jesus’ hands and that He’s backing you up, your final destination is heaven.