Living by the Law of Love

There are laws that govern us every moment of every day whether we like it or not!! The law of gravity is always in effect until the law of lift (think airplane take-off) supersedes gravity.  We are comfortable with some laws that are always in effect but some laws are harder to live with (think speed limit on familiar road).  The Law of Love is always in effect in the Kingdom of God for God Himself is Love! (I John 4:16).  He has given us the command (law) to love God and love our brother. (I John 4: 21).  Jesus said the Greatest Commandment is "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it:  Love your neighbor as yourself.  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."  (Matthew 22: 37-40).  We enjoy the benefits of the Law of Kingdom of God Love because we know and rely on the Love God has for us. (I John 4: 16).  Experiencing the Love of God is the greatest joy of living in the Kingdom of God and walking close to Him.  Walking out the Kingdom of God love in our everyday relationships is like the law that is harder to live with!  

The current Sermon Series at Harvest about Relationships is a good check up for us in our Love walk and our everyday relationships.   The messages are pointed towards marriage relationships but the principles apply to all of our relationships.  The Church of Jesus Christ is built on relationships as Jesus prayed that ". . . they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me." (John 17: 23)

How can we build and maintain healthy relationships on every level?  The standard of the Scripture should always be our measuring line.  The standard of Love outlined in the Scripture is seen in I Corinthians 13: 4-8a : : Love is large and incredibly patient.  Love is gentle and consistently kind to all.  It refuses to be jealous when blessing comes to someone else.  Love does not brag about one's achievements nor inflate its own importance.  Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honor.  Love is not easily irritated or quick to take offense.  Love joyfully celebrates honesty and finds no delight in what is wrong.  Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others.  Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up. Love never stops loving."  (The Passion Translation).
Is Love my priority?  Do my actions and my words reflect Love as the Scripture outlines? 
  What other priorities in my life are influencing or ordering relationships? Do I need to shift any priorities to build and maintain the most important relationships?