By Kenneth E. Hagin
The Bible encourages us to let acquiring the love of God be our great aim and quest in life (1 Cor. 14:1 Amplified). There must be a reason why God wants walking in the God-kind of love to be a priority in our lives. Actually, there are wonderful benefits and good results that come when we walk in love.
Let’s look at a scripture that talks about the rewards of walking in love. Walking in the God-kind of love is walking in godliness, isn’t it? As you read the following verse in First Timothy, substitute “walking in love” for the word godliness.
1 TIMOTHY 4:8 (NKJV)
8 Bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness [walking in love] is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote this to Timothy. This wasn’t just Paul speaking. This was not man’s idea. The Holy Spirit said this to Christians everywhere through the Apostle Paul. God was telling us that godliness causes us to profit.
We would do no injustice to this scripture to read it this way: “Walking in love is profitable for all things.” Why does the Bible say that bodily exercise profits only a little? Because it has the promise of paying off only in this life.
But the Bible says that godliness is profitable for all things. When is godliness profitable? Is it profitable only when we get to Heaven? No, it’s profitable in this life and in the next life.
Therefore, godliness or walking in love is profitable throughout our lives on this earth. But if we live for God now and walk in the God-kind of love, it will also be profitable to us when we get to Heaven.
Living for God means keeping God’s Word. If we’re going to live for God, we’ve got to keep His commandments. Well, under the New Covenant, the only commandment we are to keep is the law of love!
Walking in the God-kind of love is profitable. Walking in love pays off not only in this life, but also in the life to come.
I’ve preached and practiced Mark 11:23 and 24 for more than fifty years. And I’ve acted on the spiritual truths Jesus quoted in these verses with amazing results. But right along with Mark 11:23 and 24, I’ve also practiced verse 25 about forgiveness. All of my Christian life, I’ve refused to harbor the least bit of animosity, ill will, or wrong feelings toward anyone.
If the least bit of ill will or animosity toward anyone tries to creep into my heart, I get after it. I won’t entertain it for a moment. I wouldn’t entertain that kind of wrong thinking any more than I would entertain the thought of stealing from someone. Wrong feelings toward others will do me damage.
I would be just as careful about allowing unforgiveness and animosity in my heart toward another person as I would be about drinking poison or handling a rattlesnake. Unforgiveness and wrong feelings toward others are more deadly than any poison or rattlesnake bite!
I believe that’s one reason why I’ve been able to walk in what I call divine health for many years. I’m not bragging on me. I’m bragging on Jesus and what the Word will do!
I’ll tell you one thing about walking in God’s best: if you want to walk in health, you’re going to have to walk in love and keep your tongue!
Peter told us how to practice what the Word says about walking in love.
1 PETER 3:8–9
8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
The Amplified Bible says in verse 8, “. . . sympathizing [with one another], loving [each other] as brethren [of one household], compassionate and courteous (tenderhearted and humble).” This is the God-kind of love in action.
God’s love never fails! Therefore, if you are walking in His divine love, you can’t fail. If you are walking in the God-kind of love, His love working in and through you will be more than enough for any situation.
The God-kind of love will put you over in life because God is love. And walking in love is profitable—not just in this life, but also in the life to come! Enjoy the benefits and great rewards of walking in the love of God.
Confession
I will walk in God’s love. I will not criticize others, because God’s love works no ill to its neighbor.
When I am walking in God’s love, I can claim God’s best blessings in life. I will be tenderhearted and forgiving; therefore, I shall reap a blessing.
I will keep my tongue from speaking evil, and I will turn from evil and pursue peace with every man.
Thank You, Father, that as I endeavor to grow in the fruit of love, You will help me be all that I can be in You.
Source :rhema.org
