“And in the end, the love you make, is equal to the love you take.”
Another line from an old song, emotionally strong, one that tugs at the heart strings, but nevertheless not a truth.
“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matt. 22:39)
Whether you receive rewards in heaven for doing so or not, it is one of the commandments not just that the Lord Jesus Christ placed upon all who call on Him for the salvation of their soul, not just because all of the Law and the prophets hang upon it, but because God is love, without Him, love does not exist.
You cannot make love as the lyric supposes, but you can offer it, the love you show to all can only be revealed in two ways, by your words or by your actions.
“But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” (1st Sam. 16:7)
People can also, but only when one of those two items are done by you.
You will not take love with you when you die, you may leave loved ones behind, but the truth of Job 1:21 cannot be modified. “And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”
If you have been born-again when you leave this earth you will finally meet the One who loves you above all others, who will always love you. You may have those waiting for you to arrive who loved you here, but you will bring no love with you, save for those deeds that you performed here on this earth while alive for the glory of God. And those deeds my friends are the proof of your love.
“For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.” (Luke 6:32)
Can you tell the difference? Can you see the deeds, done in love, that the wicked do for each other as different from the love you are to offer? I fear that most cannot, and it is the reason you will see the following words repeated so often in these short letters to you. “Never reprove, never rebuke, never correct or judge.” These are what the world calls love, and it is a subtle trap of our adversary that many who do not just profess the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, but actually know Him as such fall into.
The truth in these statements has never been seen as loving.
“The lifestyle you are living is an offense to the Most High, and if you do not repent of it, you will suffer the torments of hell.” That is love, but not to them.
“If you do not come out of that deceitful and wicked religious organization, you will burn forever in the Lake of Fire.” Love, but not to their ears.
This is much more than good being called evil my friends, these are hearts that are growing cold, hearts that are flesh, that were once stone. You cannot make love, but you can offer truth, the truths of the Scriptures, and there is no greater love than this.
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
If you dare to call the Lord Jesus Christ your friend, then you have laid down your life for Him. But do you love your neighbor enough to speak these truths to them?
This love does not care about being ostracized, of being hated, it cares nothing about their rebukes or punishments they may inflict upon us. It cares only for their soul.
You cannot take love to heaven with you, but it will be waiting there for you. In a small way, our opening verse is correct, the love waiting for you is eternal, and in ways we cannot fully comprehend will be revealed by the rewards you receive. How much you truly loved the Lord will then be known.
