Skip to main content

Love Leads

for at the present moment observing through a mirror, in obscurity, now at that time face to face. At the present knowing from part, now at that time fully knowing just as also fully known. Now, at the present abiding faith, hope, love, these three. Now, of these the most important is love.*

Earlier Paul writes of the gifts given to the body which are to help grow up the body in knowledge of the Son into the full measure of the statue of the image of Christ. Maturity reflects conformation to his image and the gifts are purposed for this. "Be devoted with zeal to the great gifts, now, further I show you a way accordingly going beyond."* We desire the gifts but agape love is a way beyond, transcends. If I have the gift of tongues, prophesy, knowledge, giving, faith, and surrender my body to boast but have not love, it benefits nothing.* Faith without agape love is dead we can say. Why is this so? And why is love the most important of these three? Agape love has no end and leads to perfection.

love never ends now even if prophecies come to an end, even if tongues cease, even if knowledge is brought to an end. For we know in part and prophecy in part, now when that perfection comes that from part comes to an end.*

 Agape Love is infinite, it has no end. It is without bounds, as Paul prays that our eyes be enlightened to the love of God that without bounds.* This is one reason we can say love is greater, but can you think of any thing else? In context we can see it. A child looks obscurely in a mirror, he doesn't see himself as he is fully known. A child only sees part but when perfection comes he is fully known. Perfection means fully developed; complete, entire, as opposed to what is a part and limited. Now, this perfection is that purposed in Christ Jesus as a plan to bring all into the fullness of Him who is all. Perfection is maturity, that purposed in the Church, that we grow up truth in love into knowledge of the Son, into fullness, the full measure of the stature of His image.* Love is important as it is eternal and the bond of love leads to perfection. 

to know the love of Christ transcending of knowledge so that filled to the whole, the fullness of God.* 

Perfection comes through consecration which is in truth, abiding in the words of Jesus. Truth increases faith, in which is our victory. James calls the words of Jesus, the Perfect Law of liberty. The proving in the trial James speaks of brings about perfection, which is maturity, completeness, wholeness.* Paul writes of a Perfect Love, in which perfection is being achieved not through fear but love.* We did not receive a spirit of fear but power, love, and a renewed mind, it is a Spirit of son-ship not slavery, which testifies that we are his children.* Through this process of perfection, of being conformed to the image of His Son, into fullness, hope doesn't disappoint as the Spirit pours out his love into our hearts.* This also speaks of the outcome of consecration being life, and joy that is experienced by children who grow up to be sons and daughters. It is truth that perfects, increases faith, and love that leads us. As Paul writes, Faith is energized in love.* Therefore faith without love has no energy, it is nothing, achieves nothing. We achieve fullness in Christ through knowing him and his love. Love is important as love energizes faith and without love faith is of no benefit.

Now, over all these that agape love, which exists the bond of perfection.*

Love is above these virtues Paul writes of. Love is a bond which binds together. Without love there is no benefit; no perfection in truth. This is another reason why love is great. Perfection is a concept we see in the teachings of Christ. Perfection is the goal of why Paul fights the good fight of faith and runs the race and why he is striving presenting the church mature. And it speaks of the mystery of God's will, that purposed in Christ, a plan for all to be filled to the extent of the fullness of God.* The church, his body is the fullness of the one who fills all things.* In other words the church should be bringing about a fullness in Christ. When we look at perfection in terms of this purpose of fullness in Christ, we can not help but to see a growth process which is called perfection, maturity that bears fruit in the Head, a coming to the fullness of Christ.* In this we have greater understanding into the work of ministry and how that work is bringing about this fullness, perfection in Christ, growing up truth in love.

through his Spirit in your inner being, Christ dwelling in your heart through faith, rooted and grounded in love...*

Paul writes, what counts or what is important; is being a new creation, faith energized in love, and keeping his words which comes from maturity.* Further insight into the mystery of God's will purposed in Christ we see how God is manifesting his wisdom, hidden in the beginning, through the Church to be made known to rulers and authorities in the heavenly realm, according to that eternally purposed in Christ. Paul prays for these three things so that this purpose is fulfilled; that we are strengthened in power through the Holy Spirit, through faith Christ dwells in our hearts, and we are rooted and grounded in love.* The mature plant that bears fruit in the parable of sowing has grown deep roots in good soil, it endures to overcome the weeds planted by the devil and through understanding (in knowledge of the Son) matures to bear fruit.* 

Now, whoever keeps His word, truly in them the love of God is perfected, in knowing that we are in Him.*

We look at this verse in two ways, the love of God leads us into perfection and we experience the fullness of God's love when we grow up into Him, as what is part is being done away with as the fullness or maturity of growth comes, being known as we are fully known. This perfection speaks of God's will that purposed in Christ, a people that he loves and loves Him but also because he is holy a people like him. In this is consecration, which is how God sets apart a people of his own, which is accomplished in abiding in him. It is truth in love we grow up into His full measure, being conformed, transformed into His image. God requires us to be holy like him, through faith we will have victory as He leads us into consecration in truth, and truth increases faith, and love leads us to perfection. Love leads to perfection in truth, to grow up in Him, truth in love.

Popular (last 30 days)

Blessed Are The Forgiven

Blessed! the one whose lawless deeds are forgiven and the one whose sins are covered over, blessed is the man whom sin, the Lord will not consider . * Paul writes David foresaw and spoke " blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered . *  Blessed, is the one whom sin is not considered, this word considered  means "to credit, count, reckon, to set down as a matter of account; regard, think, consider." This blessing comes through faith and according to grace, " also David speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God considers righteousness apart from works ." *  The word for  lawless deeds speaks of the violation of the Law and the word for sin  speaks of missing the mark of God's righteousness. Blessed are those who (by faith in Christ according to grace) have been forgiven. In Him receiving the redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of trespasses according to the riches of His grace . * This fundamental ...
Read more

Spirit of Life

" Indeed, the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus liberates from the law of sin and death ." 1 This word for liberates "I free, set free, liberate" is from a root word meaning free, exempt, not bound by an obligation. As partakers of God's divine nature, being born of Spirit, we are no longer obligated to the sinful nature but to righteousness which is God's nature. When we believe we receive the Spirit of promise, a guarantee of our inheritance, a great testimony that we are His children, it is a Spirit of Life. " Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life." 24 The Son came not to condemn the world but to save it. "One trespass   led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. " 6 " He was delivered over to death for our trespasses and wa...
Read more

All Who Are Thirsty

“ Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;  and he who has no money,  come, buy and eat!  Come, buy wine and milk  without money and without price.  Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,  and your labor for that which does not satisfy?  Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,  and delight yourselves in rich food. .." (Isaiah 55). " Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price ." Buy is defined as to acquire the ownership of by giving an accepted price or consideration therefore; to accept or believe as true .[ 1 ] When we buy something we consider the price that we must pay, we accept this and purchase the thing we have considered worthy of the sacrifice we make in payment. W e can not buy, with money or price, redemption from t his tragic flaw we are born into. However Jesus paid the price for us, so we buy or accept through consideration, the Greek word is  logizomai.[ 2] ...
Read more

The Tripartite Nature of Humanity: Spirit, Soul, and Body

The Tripartite Nature of Humanity: Spirit, Soul, and Body in Biblical Understanding The human being, as depicted in the Bible, is a multifaceted creation, often understood through the distinct yet interconnected components of spirit, soul, and body. While some theological perspectives lean towards a bipartite view (soul and body), which we do see in the Old Testament, a careful examination of the New Testament scripture reveals a compelling case for a tripartite understanding, where each is divided into or composed of three parts. Let’s explore the biblical distinction between spirit, soul, and body. The Body: Our Earthly Vessel The body is the physical form that interacts with the material world. From the very beginning, Genesis 2:7 states, " Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being ." This verse clearly establishes the body's origin from the earth, emphasizing its connec...
Read more

Lord, Stand By Me

"... present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness ." 1 This word for present means "I bring, present, come up to and stand by," it is parístēmi (from pará, "from close-beside" and hístēmi, "to stand") – properly, stand close beside, i.e. ready to present (exhibit). I pray Lord stand by me which expresses that I put my trust in Him, or I come up to and stand by Him. We use phrases like surrendering or bowing at the cross to explain such a moment, surely it is a coming to the end of ourselves and it is desirable that I find His will acceptable, but it is important to understand that it is about trust, not my will power, the key is that it is in Christ. The terminology the scriptures use is "present yourselves to God," or come up to and stand by and walk with Him. "... present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this...
Read more

Surrender and Giving Control in Christian Thought: Scriptural Roots, Modern Interpretations, and the Quest for Spiritual Maturity

Surrender and Giving Control in Christian Thought: Scriptural Roots, Modern Interpretations, and the Quest for Spiritual Maturity Introduction The theological concept of surrender—or giving control to God—occupies a prominent place in the modern Christian consciousness. From pulpits, in devotional material, songs, and across a multitude of Christian traditions, believers are often exhorted to “surrender their lives to Christ,” to “give up control." This is often expressed as a “come to the end of yourselves,” experience. These exhortations, frequently couched in emotive and urgent language, invite believers to a posture of yielding, releasing, and letting go. Yet, when this language is measured against the actual vocabulary, teachings, and emphases of the Greek New Testament, important questions emerge:  How biblically grounded are the concepts of “surrender” and “giving control”? Does such language reflect the spiritual vision of the earliest Christian church and scripture, or...
Read more

Freedom from the Mosaic Law: A Deep Theological Exploration of New Testament Teaching

  Freedom from the Mosaic Law: A Deep Theological Exploration of New Testament Teaching Introduction: The Question of the Mosaic Law and Christian Identity One of the most significant theological debates and practical challenges for the early church was the place of the Mosaic Law in the life of believers in Jesus Christ. This question remains alive today, particularly in communities and churches that quote the Old Testament as if its legal prescriptions still directly obligate Christians. The apostolic writings, especially those of Paul, provide the primary lens through which the New Testament resolves this matter. Paul’s letters—rich in both theological reflection and ecclesiastical urgency—not only confront false teaching but chart the path of new covenant living by the Holy Spirit.  This essay seeks to offer a doctrinal synthesis on why believers are no longer “under the Mosaic Law,” supported by original-language insights, harmonized scripture references, and commentar...
Read more

Theological Comparison of the New Covenant of Grace and the Old Covenant of the Law

Theological Comparison of the New Covenant of Grace and the Old Covenant of the Law: A Detailed Study Rooted in Ephesians 2:11–22 Introduction The theme of covenant is central to the biblical narrative, shaping God’s relationship with humanity from creation through redemption. The new covenant is called by Paul a ministry of reconciliation, righteousness, and of the Spirit. The shift from the old Mosaic covenant—rooted in the Law given to Israel at Sinai—to the new covenant of grace established in Christ, fundamentally redefines how people approach God, community, and salvation. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, particularly 2:11–22, provides a remarkably clear and rich theological exposition of this transition, addressing not only the spiritual implications for Jews and Gentiles but also the very nature of the church as God’s new creation. This report develops an in-depth, paragraph-driven theological comparison between the old and new covenants, structured around nine key themes de...
Read more

Called According to His Purpose: A Biblical Examination

  Called According to His Purpose: A Biblical Examination 📖 Introduction The phrase “called according to His purpose” appears in Romans 8:28 (ESV), a foundational verse that reads: “And we know that for those loved of God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” This statement gives comfort and more—it is a declaration about identity, destiny, and divine intent. To be “called according to His purpose” means participating in God’s sovereign, redemptive plan. God's plan is being manifested through the church through the "new covenant in his blood" as it was established by the death of Jesus. The calling is not arbitrary or based on human merit, but is rooted in God’s purpose, eternal will and love. 🔍 The Nature of the Calling In Scripture, God's calling is effectual—that is, it accomplishes what He intends. Paul writes: "...those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified,...
Read more

Need of Endurance

There's no space that His love can't reach There's no place where we can't' find peace There's no end to amazing grace Take me in with Your arms spread wide Take me in like an orphan child Never let go, Never leave my side I am,  Holding on to You... In the middle of the storm I am holding on,  I am  Love like this, Oh my God to find I am overwhelmed, With a joy divine Love like this sets our hearts on fire This is my resurrection song This is my hallelujah come This is why it's to You I run. 1 He is holding on to you, through the middle of the storm, the disease, sickness, pain, tears, heartache, desires, and addictions... I Am is holding on to you. Let us exult, dance in our tribulations knowing that in our suffering we partake of His. Knowing also that suffering produces patience and patience produces endurance and endurance produces strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. ...
Read more