THE UNFEIGNED LOVE

“Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. (1 Sam. 18: 3)”

Unfeigned love is explained in the Bible by  Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13: 1 – 8.

And  now abideth faith, hope and unfeigned love, among these three the greatest is love. 1 Corinthians 13: 13

Jonathan’s unfeigned love saves David from the plans of King Saul. Saul was planning to kill David, so he makes his plan known to Jonathan (his son) and all his servants.

Jonathan although he knew the opportunity awaiting him as the first son of the king (the next king after his farther king Saul), he could have joined his father to kill David so that he could be the next king after King Saul.

However Jonathan knew Gods plan for David taking over the kingdom from King Saul. He acted in David’s favour by revealing what King Saul had decided to do.

Had Jonathan acted wisely for revealing King Saul’s plan to David?

To some people, Jonathan had acted foolishly by revealing King Saul's plan to David. In this regard, he was in support of David becoming the next King. The fact still remains; if Jonathan had acted in support of his father to kill David, David would still become the next King because God Almighty always makes a way of rescue for his children.

Biblical standard of unfeigned love (1 John 3: 17 – 18, 4: 16 - 21)

The Biblical standard of unfeigned love is that it should not end in words but in demonstration, it should be practice. Verse 17 of 1John 3 reveled that any time we failed to shown our Christian brethren or neighbors’ close by; especially when we are in the position to do, is in dictation that  Gods love is not in us.

In what ways can unfeigned love be practice?

Just as what the good Samaritan did to the man he met on the way, Christians should be sensitive to those who are in need in the church, their immediate environs  and the society at large to help provide for such needs especially when you are position to do so.

 1 Corintians 13: 3 – 8 “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing, love is patient and kind, love does not envy or boast, it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own ways, it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong doings, but rejoice with the truth. Love bears all things believe all things, endures all things”

Unfeigned love brings spiritual and physical blessings. Matt 25: 33 – 40

Jesus Christ Our savior in the above scripture that everything we do to our fellow Christian brethren we are doing if to him and that it brings spiritual and physical blessings to Christians.

 If I provide the need of my neighbor in my own capacity but I hated the person in concern, I was compelled to do what I did, have I shown love?

Love should be shown with a tender heart; a heart full of joy and not with bitterness of heart or hatred. Apostle Paul said  in (1 Corinthians 13: 5 – 8)   “" Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant  or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.  Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away..........."

Prayer

God give me the grace to love in the real sense of the word love!