Love Has the Run of the House

The Lord has been reminding us recently about how much He loves us. This has been especially encouraging, for like a Father with His children, the Lord has wanted us to know - to deeply know - that He loves us no matter what we may face in life. In light of this thought, the apostle John encourages us with these words: "God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, bcomes at home and mature in us" (1 Jn. 4:16,17, The Message).

I like this phrase, "love has the run of house," for it helps us to see the kind of environment in which we as Christians should live. Words like jeolousy, pride, gossip, envy, and the like, should never become what the house of God is known for, but instead, love must have the run of the house. How important it is that the people of God be known in the world as a people of love, for as John says, "Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him" (1 Jn. 4:16, NIV).

Perhaps it is true to say that the greatest evidence of the Spirit's presence amongst us is that we are a people who really love each other. In fact, it is no mistake that 1 Corinthians 13 is written right in the middle of Paul's discussion about gifts (chapter 12) and church order (chapter 14), for he simply says, "If I speak in tongues...prophesy...have all knowledge...have faith...but have not love, I am nothing" (1 Cor. 13:1,2, NIV). Notice how Paul points out that you can have all these things, but if there is no evidence of love in your life, you are nothing! Sobering words, aren't they? So, let us let love have the run of the house!