WHY LOVE IS THE WAY TO VICTORY FOR OUR JOURNEY AS CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS

As individual members of the body of Christ, we do have varied experiences about our walk with the Lord in line with our level of growth and maturity in the Lord. Sometimes, naturally, we may express the feeling Lord this is beyond me. Well, our Lord Jesus Christ did same at some point (Luke 22:42) so it is not out of place. The truth is our Father understands perfectly (Romans 8:26 – Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us[a] with groanings which cannot be uttered) and our Lord Jesus His only begotten Son also understands (Hebrews 4:15 -16 – For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. The good news though is in our Father’s infinite wisdom and love He has made the provision for us to walk in victory as revealed severally in His word (Mathew 22:37-39, John 3:16, Luke 12:32, 1st Corinthians 13:8 amongst others).

Now in 1st Corinthians 13:8 the bible says clearly that love never fails. Since love never fails, it means love is always victorious and as such, it is the pathway to victory. Our hymn 694 tells us so too (“Ka wa fi le segun emi esu Ka sise pelu ife mimo”. Furthermore, the New Testament commandments are based on love and the bible tells us also that God is love 1st John 4:8. Now we see why love never fails and also why it is the way to victory it is important we understand thoroughly what love is from a scriptural perspective, how to walk in love and how to grow in love. Indeed, our understanding of these will greatly aid our walk with the Lord and consequently our spiritual growth and maturity (Ephesians 3:17-19 - That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God).

Next, what is love from a scriptural perspective? 1st Corinthians 13:4-8 gives a good definition/description. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Now we know scripturally what love is, how do we as Christians walk in love in our daily interactions, careers, businesses and family amongst others. It is important we recognize first and foremost that without Christ we can do nothing (John 15:5 - I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in

Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing ). With every journey in life asking for wisdom is always a good way to start (Ephesians 1:16-20 - do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my

prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the

knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding[a] being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling,

what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us

who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places). Next, it is important we recognize what we already have. As Christians, we already have the love of God shed abroad in our heart (Rom 5:5 – Now hope does not

disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us). As such, we have the capacity to love God’s way which is agape love. 1st Corinthians 13:4-7 also tells practically what love does and does not do e.g. it is patient and kind, does not seek its own, does not envy, does not boast etc. Furthermore, the scripture tells us how to love our “1enemies” in Mathew 5: 44:45 - But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for

those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. And Romans 12:17 – 19 – Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord. In conflict resolution, the bible tells us to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15-16), admonishes us to put away all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking (Ephesians 4:31-32) and judge with righteous judgement (John 7:24 – Do not judge according to appearance but judge with righteous judgement John 5:30 – I can of

Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and my Judgement is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent me). It also cautions us that with what judgement we judge we will be judged (Mathew 7:1-4).

Finally, the scripture tells us how the Lord demonstrates His love towards us which is a pointer to how we are also to love people just as he commanded us (Mark 12:31 - And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your

neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." Romans 13:10 – Love does no harm

to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law –again we see why love is the way to victory in this verse).Now how exactly did the Lord demonstrate His love towards us? A popular scripture John 3:16 tells us and verse 17 tells us why (For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life. 17For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. Other scriptures such as Romans 5:8-9 – (But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him ) and Ephesians 2: 4-6 (- But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made

us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus) also tells us how the Lord demonstrates His love to us. He then says to us that we should love each other just as He has loved us (John 13: 34-35 - A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another). This, no doubt is the way to victory which for us is winning souls to the kingdom (especially those who oppose our Faith hoping and praying that through our

acts, conduct and preaching they respond to the conviction of the Holy Spirit) and bringing glory and honor to the Lord through all we do (Mathew 5:16 – Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Shalom!1The real enemy though is Satan – Ephesians 6:12 – For we wrestle not against flesh and blood…

Recommended Reading

1. Love: The Way to Victory by Kenneth E. Hagin