core studies : charity
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Tim 2:15
Charity
Charity can be defined as godly love expressed from one person to another. We are nurtured in the love of God from faith to faith (Romans 1:17, 1 Timothy 1:5). Charity is God's love in action within our lives (Galatians 5:22). The more we mature in Christ, the more charity we will have in our life (Colossians 3:12-14, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13).
God has given to us a commandment to love one another as he loves us (John 15:12-13, Matthew 22:37-40). This love is the greatest gift that we have and that we can share one with another (1 Corinthians 13:13, 1 John 4:18-21). When this special love for each other is seen in our life, other people will know without a doubt that we are children of God (1 John 4:8, John 13:34-35).
"Brotherly love" is a term used not just for 'brothers' but all brothers and sisters in Christ, and it is a necessary part of charity (2 Peter 1:5-8). If a person loves his brother from his heart--not based on personality or appearance but from a common love for God--then that love comes from God (1 John 3:10-17,23, Mark 12:31, Proverbs 10:12, Proverbs 18:19, Romans 12:10, Romans 13:8-10, Philippians 2:2-4, 1 Peter 1:22). When we have fervent charity, it allows us to forgive the faults and offences of others (2 Thessalonians 1:3, 1 Peter 4:8-10, Ephesians 4:2-3).
When we have a strong bond of charity in the body of Christ, we will be more effective in our work for God (Hebrews 10:24-25, Ephesians 4:16, 1 John 4:7-21). We will then be the examples of godly love for others to see and emulate (1 Timothy 4:11-12).
When we love, we are willing to make the sacrifices required to get the will of God accomplished (1 John 3:16, Hebrews 6:10). All the work done for the glory of God will be done out of a heart of love (John 15:13, 1 Corinthians 16:13). If we are to have a perfected love, we must also love our enemies (Luke 6:27-37, Psalms 74:12-22). Before we were Christians, we were certainly all sinners. If Christ died for us while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8), then we should seek to minister that unconditional love to others (James 2:2-4), and be willing to make the necessary sacrifices to see all others saved.
