Love Never Fails

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​Cheshvan is the eighth month on the Hebrew calendar, eight being the number of new beginnings and revelation.  It is associated with the Hebrew letter NUN, symbolizing Messiah.  Since there are no holidays during this month, the Jews say it is reserved for the time of Messiah.  Messiah, Yeshua hamashiach, came to bring heaven to earth and demonstrate a new way to live that is counter to the ways of the world.  Love begins with God.  He was so grieved by the way that sin separates us from Him that He sent is Son to breach the gap.  "For this is how much God loved the world—He gave His one and only Son as a gift.  So now everyone who believes Him will never perish but experience everlasting life." (John 3:16 - TPT)
 
Our Messiah, Jesus, demonstrated the way of love during the three years of His ministry whether it was by touching a leper to heal him, raising someone from the dead, feeding the hungry or teaching about the way of His Father.  He always pointed others to the love of Father God.  Here is what Jesus said:  "You heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you:  Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven...If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?  Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others?  Do not even pagans do that?" (Matthew 5:43-47) "But I tell you who hear me:  Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (Luke 6:27-28)
 
The October issue of "Charisma" Magazine features a story about some people who take the message of the love of God seriously.  They travel to some of the most dangerous areas of the world to reach out to those who have followed radical Islam.  Sean Feucht, a Bethel worship artist and founder of "Light a Candle" Ministry, uses his music to break into dark territory and shift the spiritual atmosphere.  He has taken his songs into the war-torn regions of Iraq where refugees huddle in fear and terror.  He brings songs of hope and redemption.  In love, he prays for them so that they see the manifestations of the love of Jesus.
 
A gentleman who had his own life transformed by the love of Jesus went from being "a hardened Marine into a devoted missionary."  Victor Marx says that the love of Jesus transformed his heart and "his hatred for the Arab people turned into passionate love."  He goes undercover into the heart of ISIS territory and meets high-ranking Muslim leaders and their families.  He goes into camps in Syria that house the wives and children of ISIS members.  He quotes a staggering figure of 64,000 wives and children in one camp.
 
Marx believes in the strategy of Jesus to win many people to the Lord:  "Love your enemies."  Here is how Marx sees it:  "Politically, we're limited.  Militarily, we can't kill an ideology...But what will work is love."  As Christians operate from a place of love, hearts are changed.  Victor Marx shows himself as a safe and loving individual so that when Muslims he has befriended begin to ask him questions, he will have credibility with them.
 
Believers must be set apart as those who demonstrate unconditional love.  "Love never fails." (1 Corinthians 13:8) We must carry the love of Christ wherever we go and commit to praying for those who boldly go into enemy territory to bring God's transforming love to the world.  For those who ask, "How can I love my enemies and those who persecute me?"—Paul has some advice.  "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (Ephesians 5:1-2)