I have read this scripture many times over the years and I am not sure I ever realized that love was an actual place you are supposed to live. I guess I thought love was only something you did. If love is in fact a place to live, then we must have a key to unlock the door.
Keeping God’s commandments has to be the master key that unlocks the love house door. Jesus Himself lives there and is inviting us to move in with Him. However, there is a price to pay for the privilege of becoming a permanent resident in the love house. A part of that price is to move out of your flesh house into His Spirit house. Another way of saying that is we have to move out of our will into His will.
This concept may seem a little strange to the natural mind, but after meditating on John 15:10, you will know its origin.
Even though I have been a minister for many years, I suppose—except for God of course—I’ve learned just about everything I know about living in love from my wife, Karen. It’s amazing how you can have the knowledge of love and not live in the house of love. You can have a level of the power of love and still not live in the house of love. You can even show love by feeding the poor and taking care of the widows and still not live in the house of love. You can do many great acts of love, but that doesn’t mean you reside in the house of love.
I am also not sure that the dwelling kind of love can be taught…it is almost as if it has to be caught, because it is so supernatural.
Jesus alluded to this possibility when He suggested living a forgiving life style in Matthew 18:21-22,
“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him, till seven times?
Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven”.
I knew a man one time who was commonly known by everyone as Pa Pa. He had a level of kindness and generosity that almost left you awe struck. As a matter of fact, you would leave his presence with one of two emotions. The first emotion would be that of extreme peace. You felt you had been bathed in something that washed away all your cares and put the things of life back in perspective. The second emotion would make you feel as though you were coming up short of your full potential. It seemed that I always wanted to do more when I was around him. Destiny may seem like a strange word when talking about Pa Pa, as he had always been a loyal blue collar worker. However, after studying his life as I did, and still do, I have come to the conclusion that real destiny is not in the having, but in the doing. I learned a great deal from Pa Pa’s life and I believe I have discovered his secret to success. He spent his life living in love.
Another point I learned from Pa Pa was you can not live in the house of love with un-forgiveness in your heart. Living a forgiven lifestyle is not an easy thing to do particularly if you are easily offended. However, if you can live a forgiving lifestyle you are well on your way to living in love.
Father,
I thank you for giving me such great practical examples such as my precious wife Karen and a loving father type called Pa Pa. My desire is to live in such a way that both would be proud of their investment in my life. My desire is to carry on their work of living in love so others will be as inspired as I was. Father help us all to pursue perfect love.
Amen.
If you keep My commandments, you shall abide in My love, even as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. John 15:10 KJV
Apostle John Dean Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved
Alliance International Ministries