By Love
Matthew 13: 12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that which he hath.
Revelations 4: 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Galatians 5:6 … but faith which worketh by love.
Football season is well underway again, with professional, college, high school and the younger leagues drawing family, friends, and fans into the competition and the rivalry. It’s so amazing the level of talent that’s displayed week by week from athletes who have devoted so much of their time and energy to developing their skills. While there are standard fundamentals that are focused on by each team, though, and while there is emphasis given to conditioning and technique, there are certain teams and specific players that always rise above the rest to claim the championship trophy and the Super Bowl ring. There is an apparent element that goes beyond just the routines of practicing, drills and working out. It’s possible to do all the same things as the champion, but it is the heart, passion, and belief of the champion that takes him past what is just being done to its victorious purpose. While all may have had this love of the game at one time, it is the one who maintains and holds on to this love that presses past the roadblocks and difficulties that divert and prevent so many others from realizing their passion.
We have all been given the measure of faith and the necessary heart of passion, and our place on the victory stand has been secured in Christ. We’ve been made to be more than conquerors through Him. In all the things that must be done along that kingdom path that is ours to walk in Him, however, there will be a great threat to the one thing that is most necessary for victory to actually be lived and realized. Just doing what we’re told and attempting to somehow memorize this, pray that, restrain from this, and indulge in that will have no significance whatsoever if there is no love as its motivator. Without an overwhelming passion for the Giver of every good thing and without an uncompromised surrender to the One who passionately gave His life for our success, other loves will divert and disarm us of our single most important possession- the love that is ours in Christ and the passion we have for the Father. It is by Him alone that we are able to ‘live and move and have our being.’ (Acts 17:28)
