<\/p>\n
\u201cNow the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith\u201d (1 Timothy 1:5).<\/p>\n
AMID THE WELTER OF OUR SPIRITUAL THOUGHTS, WORDS, AND DEEDS, THE MAIN THING THAT SHOULD BE PRODUCED BY ALL OF THIS ACTIVITY MAY END UP BEING NEGLECTED. Paul wrote that the purpose (in other words, the \u201cgoal\u201d or \u201cend\u201d) of the commandment is love.<\/em> This is the object in view \u2014 it is the thing that is supposed to be produced by instruction in God\u2019s word. If we profess to be those who seek God, we need to be aware that one of the truest tests of our seeking is the test of love. If we are missing love, then we\u2019ve missed the \u201cpurpose of the commandment.\u201d<\/p>\n The word \u201clove,\u201d of course, means many things to many people, and the kind of love that God desires is no ordinary love. According to Paul, it comes \u201cfrom a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith.\u201d A \u201cpure heart\u201d is clean and wholly devoted to God, a \u201cgood conscience\u201d is carefully protected and consistently obeyed, and a \u201csincere faith\u201d is genuine and without pretense. When these qualities combine, they produce a love that is remarkable. It is certainly distinct from the emotional feeling that is called \u201clove\u201d in the world, but it is also different from the intellectual orthodoxy that is called \u201clove\u201d by many Christians. The love that distinguishes the people of Christ is nothing less than the love Christ had: \u201cA new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another\u201d (John 13:34,35).<\/p>\n When we think about it, the reason for love\u2019s importance is obvious. If God is love, how could we possibly draw near Him without growing in love? But what if we\u2019re seeking God and love is not increasing in our lives? We may not like to hear it, but one of two things must be true: either our \u201cseeking\u201d is not a serious seeking or our \u201cGod\u201d is not the real God. If we truly seek and it is the true God whom we seek, then real love must result. John\u2019s words are clear and to the point: \u201cHe who does not love does not know God, for God is love\u201d (1 John 4:8). If we lose sight of this fact, then we\u2019ve somehow gotten off the road that leads to God.<\/p>\n \u201cWith the knowledge of God comes love\u201d (Catherine of Siena).<\/p>\n Gary Henry \u2013 WordPoints.com + AreYouaChristian.com<\/p>\n