"LOVE LIKE LINDA"(pt.3)

"And now abides Faith, Hope , Love, these three;

but the greatest of these is Love.

1 Cor. 13:13

"But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not Love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but have not Love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not Love, I gain nothing."

1 Cor. 12:31 & 13: 1-3

"Her great Love, the most excellent way"

As I shared previously, Linda's great Faith gave her the confident,expectant, and joyful knowledge, of God's Presence and Promise...her great Hope. Recognizing her great Faith, and her great Hope, helps us to understand, her great Love. The Apostle Paul's letters were a response, to letters he received from the church at Corinth. His letters addressed a number of issues, concerning both, life and doctrine. The Apostle admonished them concerning spiritual gifts. In verse 31, of chapter 12, there is a transition from gifts, to motivation. The 13th chapter is often referred to as the "Love chapter" It's here that we learn about the motive, and purpose, of spiritual gifts.... Love, God's Love. Love should be the reason why we use spiritual gifts, to express our love of God, and extend His Love to others.

Linda is a true example, of this. She loves the Lord with all her heart, soul, mind and strength. She loves people as herself, always encouraging, and desiring better, for those she made contact with. Jesus said,there are no greater commandments than that (read Mk 12: 28-31). The attributes of Love given in 1 Cor. 13, are how Linda related to people. She treated people with patience and kindness, even when some were difficult. She wasn't envious, or proud (except for her family). She treated all with respect, and wasn't rude. She wasn't easily angered, actually, I don't remember seeing her angry, or at least expressing it. She was forgiving, when wronged. She only wanted good for people, never delighting in peoples troubles. She protected those she loved. She always trusted and hoped for God's Will to be done, in her life and those around her. She always persevered. Always expressing God's Love, either in word or example, knowing that "Love never fails".

Was Linda perfect in working out her faith in life, no, none of us are. She understood the process of sanctification, that being matured in Christ's Image, is a life-long journey. Jesus' finished work on the cross, pays the price for our sins (past, present and future), and provides right relationship and standing with God. Perfect in God's Eyes, our position in Christ. Sanctification is the process of our "condition" being brought up to our "position". It is the cleaning up, of the effects of sin in our lives, some take time, some are immediate, when we give our hearts and lives to Him. Linda understood, and walked humbly,with God. Together with Him, walking out her salvation, with awe and reverence.

Without Faith, it's impossible to please God, without Love, it's impossible to express God. Don't misunderstand God's Love, and think that God over looks sin, He doesn't. His Love corrects and disciplines, for our betterment (Pr. 3:12). Linda and I once had a discussion on this point, sharing how this point brings balance to our lives. Understanding that the Lord's correction brings strength to our Faith and safety in our lives, as a loving parent may need to be tough on a child, to keep them from harmful behavior. Raising such a big family, Linda knew how to balance this love and correction aspects. Different personalities, different situations, she always knew the right application of Love, for the right person and situation. Expressing God's Love and Wisdom. Her great Faith, that gave her great Hope, to Love God and to Love others as herself. Exemplifying Godliness thru Love,"her great Love , the most excellent way".