“Our love needs to be pure. The word pure also translates as ‘sincere.’ It is a compound word meaning both ‘sunlight’ and ‘judgment.’ . . . In those days . . . artisans who refrained from [using colored wax to hide chips and cracks] allegedly marked their pieces with a stamp that read ‘sine-cera,’ which means ‘without wax.’ Mature love comes without adding wax.”- Randy Frazee
“And this is my prayer, that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.”- Philippians 1:9-10 (NIV)
In Principle #2: Learn How to Love of The Joy Challenge, Randy Frazee talks about the singular focus of Paul’s prayer in Philippians 1. From Paul’s instruction we learn how to love people better. As a result, other people’s joy increases. But so does ours!
First, in the Greek language, the word abound (verse 9) means more than enough. Hence, Paul wanted the Philippians to possess so much love inside they’d run out of space to store it. Consequently, that love spilled out of them to others. Above all, speak words of encouragement. Avoid generic cliches. Because then you demonstrate that you have a history with that person.
In addition to pure love, our love must be blameless. Thus, our words must not cause someone to stumble. However, immature love often rides another person so hard they end up with a crushed spirit. Or we choose to let things slide, turning a blind eye to destructive behaviors.
In conclusion, Randy counsels:
“So, for our love to be blameless, to be a mature kind of love, it needs to be one that lifts people up and helps them find firm footing, even and especially when they are caught up in potentially harmful choices. . . .
We are not offering love that comes from us. . . . Rather, we are to allow the pure nutrients of agape love to flow into our branches so that the fruit on the tree of our life that others taste is the sweet and refreshing flavor of unconditional and sacrificial love.”
Today’s question: What Bible verses help you love without adding wax? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Focused on the mission”
