So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover’s life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11(MSG)
True love is sincere. This means no hidden agenda or ulterior motives. The God kind of Love isn’t self-seeking and doesn’t insist on its own way or rights. We don’t love for what we can get out of it in return. We love because God loved us, poured His Love in us and now we are sharing that very same unconditional Love with others.
True Love is intelligent. This means Love is not blind but is wide open eyed and alert to tell where it is welcome, accepted, useful, and celebrated and where it is refused, misused, and abused.
Jesus is Love personified. He knew where He wasn’t wanted and welcome so He didn’t waste Himself there. Where they welcomed and accepted Him He lavishly splashed Himself there. He told us to freely give because we have freely received but at the same time He told us not to throw our pearls (in this case Love) to the dogs and pigs which will only trample on them and then turn and tear us.
Love sincerely, Love intelligently.
