THE CHRISTIAN GRACES – LOVE

Text: 2 Peter 1:5-11.

Introduction:
  I. We come to the last of these qualities to be supplied 
     in our faith – love.
 II. We have an oft-used expression, “last but not least.”
     This certainly applies in this case.
     A. It is not least in importance, 1 Corinthians 13, 
        helps us to see the importance.
        1. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, 13.
        2. Matthew 22:37-39.
     B. It is not least in difficulty.  Which of these 
        qualities is the most difficult to acquire?  Self-
        control?  Godliness?  Love may be as difficult as 
        any.
III. So in this lesson, we raise the question: What is love 
     as used in this passage and what are the difficulties 
     associated with it.

Body:
  I. Two types of love:
     A. There is a “love” that is emotional, natural, 
        involves considerable fondness, results from spirit 
        blending in spirit.
        1. You may have felt such a fondness for someone 
           the first time you were with him.
        2. More often it is an attachment that grows with 
           time.
        3. This is the kind of love that existed between 
           Jonathon and David.  1 Samuel 18:1.
        4. Kind of love that Jesus had for Lazarus.  John 
           11:3, 35, 36.  Jesus had a deep attachment, an 
           emotional love for Lazarus, Mary, and Martha.
        5. This kind of love is reserved for a relative few 
           in life – our family, our closest associates – 
           and it varies in intensity.
     B. There is a “love” that is more or less voluntary; 
        it seeks the good of others; is helpful to others.
        1. It is not an emotional attachment; it is more a 
           feeling of good will.
        2. The person loved in this case is loved, not 
           because he deserves it or has done something to 
           cause me to love him; but he is loved just 
           because I determine in my own heart to love him 
–	It is a voluntary action on my part.
        3. This is the love God has for mankind.  John 
           3:16; Romans 5:6-8.  Observe: Man did nothing to 
           deserve God’s love; God just extended His love 
           to an undeserving world, and manifested it by 
           giving His Son.
        4. This love, then, is both extended and manifested 
           by action.

 II. The love under consideration in this lesson is this 
     voluntary type of love.
     A. The Lord demands that we develop this other type of 
        love towards certain loves – In fact “philadelphia"
        suggest this warm, personal, emotional affection 
        toward those with whom we worship and work.
     B. But there are people toward whom I cannot develop 
        this type of love.
        1. Blasphemers: Use name of Lord in vain, ridicule 
           the Bible.  Example.  My spirit blend with this 
           type of person’s spirit?  A deep emotional 
           fondness for a person like this??
        2. Child abusers:
        3. Those who are out to deliberately corrupt 
           society with alcohol, drugs, pornography, every 
           kind of sensuality imaginable.  Hear people 
           laughing about such conduct.  Becoming harder 
           and harder to laugh.  Work with alcoholics; 
           example.  My spirit blend with those who have 
           pushed that stuff on society and corrupted the 
           minds of so many and dragged their souls down 
           to hell?
        4. Enemies.  Those who are out to destroy me and 
           tear down my good name and the good I’m trying 
           to accomplish.
        5. Total stranger: Pass a man on the street – no 
           personal and emotional attachment.
     C. But while I may not have this type of love for 
        such, I can have the second, and I am to have this 
        love toward all men.
        1. Matthew 5:43-44; I am to supply in my faith, 
           love.
        2. Love that blasphemer? Those who are contributing 
           to sensuality?  Those who are enemies?
        3. Not an emotional, “bosom buddy” type of love; 
           but I can volunteer my love, my feeling of good 
           will, seeking nothing but his good.

III. How this love is manifested.
     A. Negatively: By not seeking the hurt of the person.
        1. Scriptures:
           a. Romans 13:10
           b. Matthew 5:38-41
           c. Luke 23:34
           d. Acts 7:60
           e. 1 Thessalonians 5:15
        2. That example in II.B.1 – There was hardly a 
           blending of spirit with spirit – but I wished 
           him no harm (a tornado moving directly toward 
           his house; or some man with intent to murder 
           him) I would have tried to save him from harm.
     B. Positively: By seeking his good through helping 
        him.
        1. Scriptures:
           a. Romans 12:20-21
           b. John 3:16
           c. Matthew 5:43-44
        2. This is why I might extend benevolence to a 
           total stranger – person not my bosom buddy – 
           no particular blend of spirit with spirit – but 
           I extend love to him and manifest it by helping 
           Him. Galatians 6:10
        3. This is why I might teach the gospel to a total 
           stranger – or my worst enemy if I had a chance – 
           I extend love to him and manifest it – example:
           Jesus with the Samaritan woman.

 IV. What is the source of this love?
     A. We may feel rather keenly the lack of it in our own 
        Lives, but we are to seek it “diligently!”
     B. It comes from being like God.
        1. Matthew 5:45-46
        2. 1 John 4:19
        3. Galatians 5:22

Conclusion: Man must extend love toward God and He manifests 
it through keeping His commandments. John 14:15