Today is Monday, December 13th, 2010; Karen's Korner #1966
Yesterday's writing (December 12) from Rick Renner's "Sparkling Gems from the Greek" (in part) as Renner defines a couple of words:
Love Without Hypocrisy
"Agape (Greek word describing the highest, finest, and most noble kind of love in the New Testament) occurs when an individual sees, recognizes, understands, or appreciates the value of an object or a person, causing the veiwer to behold this object or person in great esteem, awe, admiration, wonder, and sincere appreciation.
"The best example of agape is found in the New Testament's John 3:16 - 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.'
"The human race was so precious to God and He loved man so deeply that His heart was stirred to reach out and do something to save him. God's love drove Him to action. Agape loves so profoundly that it knows no limits to boundaries in how far, wide, high, and deep it will go to show that love to its recipient.
"That is why Paul wrote in Romans 12:9, 'Don't just pretend that you love others; really love them.'
Renner then expands that verse by saying, "If you are going to say you love someone, then make sure you really love them. Don't give an impression that isn't true. Don't say one thing and then do another. Your love should be without hypocrisy so don't be phony when it comes to be the subject of love."
"Have you ever been two-faced with people who thought you were their friend? Did you say one thing to them but later talk behind their backs? Did you do exactly the same thing that someone else is doing to you right now?
"Make sure you forgive those who have wronged you. Let it go, and do your best to overlook their inconsistencies.Let God deal with them."
Prayer for Today: "Lord, I ask You to please forgive me for the times I've been an unfaithful friend. I know there have been times in my life when I gossiped and talked about people who were supposed to be my close friends. And I didn't stop there. Rather than confess what I did and ask for forgiveness, I tried to cover it up by acting like I hadn't done anything wrong. I am so sorry for what I have done. Please forgive me for lying. Please forgive me for being a phony in my relationships. I don't ever want to do this again, so I ask You to help me walk in truthfulness, integrity, and in genuine agape love. I pray this in Jesus' name."
My Confession for Today: "I confess that I walk in the agape love of God. I am a sincere, truthful, and dedicated friend. When I say that I love, I genuinely love. I don't talk behind people's backs. I don't gossip. I don't betray the friends God has brought into my life. If I do accidentally say something that is out of order, I quickly go to my friend to confess it and to ask for forgiveness. This truthfulness causes my friends to trust me and to know that I am truly a friend indeed. I declare this by faith in Jesus' name!"
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