There are many sciences, religions, teachings, and disciplines in the world, each of which provides knowledge. We are studying the science of agape love, comprehensively examining what it is and how it works in life.
Some people like it, some look at it with a smirk, and some find it disgusting and irritating. This will always be the case, and there's nothing to be surprised about.
If we realistically consider what we are actually studying in our school, and if we compare it in terms of depth and complexity, then perhaps the teaching of agape love is the most complex science of all that can be grasped in this world. And to understand and fully perceive it, one needs to have the mind of Christ and the mentoring ministry of the Holy Spirit. With the mind alone, it will be impossible to understand and remember what is revealed to us. We need to engage our whole heart, all our thoughts and feelings in this.
But in this chapter, let's look at what love gives us, what advantages we have, what we lose and what we gain. Let's talk about a person who believes in Christ, for those who have chosen this world will be lost forever because they do not believe in Jesus.
First, let's look at life without agape love. I think we've all lived in this state at some point, and some are still in such a state and feel very comfortable.
What happens to those who do not have love? All people look roughly the same, and my facial expression will reflect my mood. I also breathe, need food, drink, warmth, and clothing. My enthusiasm and creative abilities help me perform various work and carry out ministry. My mind is able to assimilate biblical truths and helps me develop to a certain level. I acquire the knowledge necessary for ministry in the church, and I can improve my qualifications through training in a higher educational institution, where I learn even more detailed science about salvation and other useful disciplines. But there is no subject about love, friendship, and happiness. I won't be taught this in any school.
I see short-term manifestations of love under certain circumstances, and this is enough for me to be like everyone else. And my whole church is at the level of development that I have achieved.
But Christ, in the message to Laodicea, offers heavenly goods and personal relationships that are not given to the whole church. They can only be obtained personally. And one of the prophetic goods is faith and love, which Jesus wishes to sell me in the very last time. Therefore, what was possible earlier will no longer pass in God's foresight.
The events of the last days are developing very rapidly before my eyes, and I understand that the struggle for my soul will be very unusual, and I need something that will protect me at this time and keep my lamp burning when I hear the midnight cry that the Bridegroom is coming.
If I do not have love, then at some point in my life and the trials that have befallen me, I will understand that I am a sounding brass, which creates a lot of sound but has no value, and that there is no use to me from all my knowledge and skills, and all my sacrifices and my whole life are nothing, and everything I am taught has no meaning. For some reason, all this does not work during a crisis. Although outwardly I continue to hold up well, but inside me there is a storm, darkness, and fear. What will happen to me? Will I get through this storm? I notice that all my experiences and knowledge are not enough to overcome my inner darkness, and I need something supernatural that will carry me through this.
Without love, I risk losing my salvation, for my feelings do not know how to accurately recognize sin, let alone fight it. I will wage war with my spiritual intellect, asking God to win this battle. But my house remains unoccupied after another victory, and the evil spirit can calmly return there. Where there is no love, anything can take root, and I become even worse.
Without love, I will never be able to know the depth of God's love. For love attracts the similar and reveals it in its light. And God is Love, and he who abides in love abides in God. And how to know the Creator without the Creator in the heart? It's like knowing everything about Him from books, but not knowing Him personally. And deep knowledge of God is very important.
Without love, in various trials, I will most likely act according to the flesh, although I will not notice it myself, because I am a believer. The spirit of self-confidence can blind me, and I will confidently walk in darkness, knowing where everything is in a familiar room. But any unfamiliar terrain will disconcert me. I don't understand how much I need love for the last battle, but I'm so used to living without it that I may never need it again. I'm used to doing everything without the Holy Spirit, and I think I have enough knowledge to overcome everything. I believe in God's power that He will protect me in the last time, and my faith is able to move mountains, and love has nothing to do with it, let weak sisters who have nothing to do acquire it, and we will break through. Not for the first time. But something is not going as always. There's victory in the eyes, but emptiness inside. It shouldn't be like this.
You can continue this list yourself.
What will happen to me if I accept agape love, if I grasp this science, if I, having embarked on this path, do not leave it, even if it will be very difficult, or there will be very little time? I think it's worth considering.
Love is the personal presence of Christ in my life, in my heart, in my communion with Him. It's a whole ocean of possibilities and prospects for the future. These are new tests of my faith, and constant victories in the spirit of love and truth. This is rapid spiritual growth in an individual order, which gives new knowledge, but does not exalt my heart above others. It opens many doors to serve others.
Love enlightens my eyes, and I can see even in the dark, understanding where I'm going and what I'll face, how to avoid it, or how to win. Love brings constant true happiness into my life, and although the trials of my love sometimes depress me and lead to a revision and rethinking of many earthly and spiritual values, they are still quite easy to endure, and when everything is resolved and everything is left behind, then I understand that I have risen even higher, not in my own eyes, but in the knowledge of God.
The deeds of the flesh do not attract my heart, this voice is disgusting to me, and I remember with disgust the bitter experiences of my past life. Love fills my whole being with meaning. Every deed and every act acquire a special meaning in the spirit of love, for they have the most correct motive, although they may not be very big and significant in the eyes of others.
I understand where I'm going, I know that God is in me, I'm waiting for something new, and it happens. I'm preparing for Eternity and have a firm assurance of my salvation, for without Christ I can do nothing, but I always see Him before me.
With love, I become a coveted target for Satan, but the Lord is my protection, and He leads me to Golgotha, so that from its height I can also see the whole conquered world for which He died, with His eyes, and love it with His heart.
And at the end of the path, I notice a blazing fire, into which the Lord invites me, and He stands in this fire and waits to go through this trial together with me.
Questions for reflection on this chapter:
1. Do you see the difference between those who have love and those who don't?
2. To grasp the science of love, what is necessary to have, and what steps should be taken?
3. What advantages does a believing person who has love in their heart have?
4. What does the Lord want to sell to you personally in this last time?
5. Why is it so important that the spiritual house of a believing person be occupied by Love?
6. What is needed for Love to gain victory in your heart?
7. Is it worth seeking and allocating time to learn the science of agape love?
8. Do you consider that our school is the only one in the world where we grasp this science? What other methods does God have to reveal all these truths to thirsty and seeking souls?
9. Please read Psalm 91:14-15, Daniel 3:24-25, Psalm 23:4, 83:6-8; Isaiah 26:3-4; Joshua 1:7, Isaiah 63:9; 1 Peter 4:12-14; Hebrews 10:36, 12:2-3, 12-13 in light of this chapter.