LOVE

Knowledge & Love

Dr. Mike 2025 , ,

“Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up.” 1 Corinthians 8:1

The apostle Paul made this statement when dealing with food being offered to idols. He highlighted the importance of knowledge and love when dealing in any situation. Whenever one-side ignores the other, the situation becomes out of kilter.

To get knowledge is important. Without knowledge one is ignorant and vulnerable to all types of negative influences. The Book of Proverbs contains over forty maxims emphasizing the importance of knowledge. One of my favorites state that knowledge is more valuable than gold. With knowledge one gains understanding, wisdom and insight. After the gold is gone, with knowledge one can repeat the process and acquire more. But without knowledge, one only ends up spending all the gold and not know how to get more.

Love is how best to interrelate with others. Love is concern with the welfare of others. Jesus is our role model. He demonstrated that sacrificing oneself for others is the best way to express your love. In modern vernacular, love means sacrificing something of the self to add value in the other person’s life.

When knowledge becomes the means of self-aggrandizement, one has lost their way. Likewise, when love becomes self-centered, one has misplaced love’s aim.

The purpose to gain knowledge is not for ego building or to make one feel important. But how can one best serve others. If love likewise turns inward, it is no longer love, but selfish vain glory.

So, Paul demonstrates here in regards to the fallacy of offering food to idols. Your brother may be ignorant of the subject. He has no knowledge of the matter. Don’t stone him. Instead use your knowledge to share the truth in a way that builds up the other rather than devour them. It is not simple to do. Our human tenancy is to blur out the truth like a heavy weight fighter throwing a punch in a world boxing match. Rather we need to learn like Jesus to balance compassion with the truth.

Love and truth best move together hand-in-hand for the Christ-follower. So does knowledge and love best move together hand-in-hand. Some of us find the path naturally easy. The rest of us need to ask the Holy Spirit teach us how best to approach the situation.

Yes, life is a learning process preparing you and me for eternity with Jesus. Each day we get to practice how best to apply the knowledge we gain into the lives of others with love. Every day we get opportunities to share the truth with others. Over time we will come to learn one important fact. People really don’t care how much you know. They really want to know if you truly care for them.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Living Sacrifice

Dr. Mike 2025 , ,

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.   Romans 12:1

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Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.   Hebrews 13:16

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…you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.   1 Peter 2:5

A Christ-follower is called to live a life of sacrifice.

Did Jesus not emphasize this point? If you want to follow HIM, you need to deny yourself and accept the responsibility of carrying your cross (Mt. 16:24). Did HE not teach us this lesson throughout HIS life? And did HE not leave us a strong reminder with HIS sacrifice on the cross?

Do you want to know how mature of a believer you are? Ask yourself. How willing are you to sacrifice your time, money, or resources for another person? No strings attached. It could be a family member or a total stranger. Do you have to fight the sacrificial urge or does it flow through you without a second thought?

Have you ever noticed how a self-centered child will rarely sacrifice themselves for another? Yet as we age, we learn the value of sacrifice as one of the highest acts of love we can perform.

When we marry, do we not sacrifice our own needs to become one with another? As parents, don’t we accept the responsibility and sacrifice for the sake of the children? On the job, don’t we sacrifice our desires for the sake of the team? As grandparents, don’t we sacrifice our resources for the sake of the entire family?

Throughout life one learns sacrifice is the art of loving another.

Yet, what about those who are not willing to sacrifice? The person who always wants to take without giving? The one who always has to have it their way. The spoiled child who grows up being the center of the universe.

Sacrifice is the way of life for a Christ-follower. Jesus demonstrated how sacrifice is about serving others. Most of the time it is always inconvenient. Most of the time it will cost you something. It could be time, money, or even opportunity. If you love someone without willing to sacrifice, are you truly loving that person? Or are you only filling up your own insecurity?

As Christ-followers, we live everyday willing to sacrifice for the sake of others. We consider it an honor to do so. We know who holds us in HIS grip. Our needs and desires are in good hands. We just want others to experience the same grace of God upon their lives. It begins with being a living sacrifice pleasing to God.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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The Way of Love

Dr. Mike 2024 , , , ,

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,   Ephesians 4:15

The good life is a simple life built upon the foundation of love. Many people will acknowledge this, but only a few live it out. Many books have been written on the subject. Many poets have expressed love’s benefits. Songs have captured many hearts. Movies have impacted many visions of love in action. Yet most people say it is impractical in their world.

We live in a culture where dog eats dog. Everyone around us wants to take from us and not give anything of value in return. If one lives long enough, one could easily become a skeptic. Yes, love is the exception rather than the rule. Sad, but this is how many feel today.

But what would happen if love became the rule?

What if, you and I formed a new committee? Included would be you, Jesus, and anyone else who wants to join us. Our purpose would be to live out the Love Way of Jesus.

Love, not as the world practices it. But as Jesus demonstrated love to his disciples (Jn. 13:34). Not a romantic, emotional, what-is-in-it-for-me attitude. But how can I add real value into the other person’s world? What can I say or do which will bring out the potential of the other person? How can I better uplift the other person? How can I serve them? Enrich them? Bring joy into their life?

Love is sharing a little of yourself for another. Giving a small portion of who you are without expecting anything in return. Giving like God gives. At first, it may be hard. But over time, practice makes love a way of life.

The more you live out the Love Way, the more you see and experience God’s grace. The more you mimic God’s character, the more you experience real, abundant living.

Yes, the Love Way enriches those around you. Draws you closer to the Creator of Love. And helps you grow up to become more and more like Jesus himself. The way of love really makes the world go around.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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