Filling

The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. 1 Timothy 1:5

There have been several conversations lately where people have been giving advice on how men and women should interact when dating or married.  I must be honest.  My concern on what a woman should and should not do are above my pay grade.  It is neither because I do not care nor is it that I do not know what scripture says about it.  I do.  The reason I have chosen to stay out of it is simple.  It is more than enough work to make sure that I am doing what God wants me to do as a Christian man.  This brought me to what is the basis of all my conversation about my treatment of women and in particular wives.  Here is what Ephesians 5:25-27 says:

For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.  He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault.

When reading those words and meditating on them, most men should ask, “How should I respond to any woman knowing how Jesus viewed the church?  Is it even possible for me to speak any ill will toward them?”  This is where I have built such a healthy respect for not only my wife but women in general because I would hope to be representative of a good Christian man.  This is how a person filled with love should respond to all people. Not just women.

We must not lose sight that the intent of God’s instruction is to ensure we love Him and each other.  In reading 1 Timothy, today’s verse is a golden gem.  Paul’s intent is to note not only the importance of having love in our hearts but also key elements of it.  A pure heart, clear conscience, and genuine faith are all important ingredients that indicate what love is in one’s heart.  While reviewing it, I began to question where I stood on this list.  When I go to God, is my heart pure?  Am I asking for what I want or what God’s will is for my life?  Is my conscience clear?  Am I filled with bad thoughts and unnecessary and worldly clutter, or have I made time with God intentional and cleared my mind to ensure my focus can be on Him and others?  Do I believe in what God can and will do or am I just going through the motions?  These are questions we all should be asking ourselves throughout our journey of faith not because we are or are not filled with love.  Instead, they are yardsticks to ensure we have the right mindset that will allow for our love for God and others to flourish.  As much as I love my granddaughters, I am not very attentive to them when I have a deadline at work, and I do not believe it is good for me to fake enjoying time with them.  A willingness to be honest with ourselves allows us for one key aspect that can help fill us with the love Paul speaks of.  That is to simply ask God for help where we fall short.  God said in Ezekiel 36:26, “And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.”  This is a heart willing to say, “God, I know I am falling short here.  Help me so that I may be a better steward of your will.”

Trusting God to ‘fill in the blanks’ is vital to our having healthy Christian walk.  Whether it is a relationship with our spouse or an encounter with a person in line at Starbucks, having “a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith,” as Paul suggests will have an impact not only with those around us but also within ourselves.  Why would being filled with love matter so much?  Very simple.  Because as Paul also said, “Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” (1 Corinthians 13:7).  Let us take the instruction that instils a never-failing Godly love.  What instruction from God’s word can help you be more loving today?  What questions do you need to ask of yourself to expand your capacity to love?  My prayer is we strive to be open to God’s instruction that is indeed filled with love.  Amen