permanence

“Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true.” – Hebrews 6:11 (NLT)

Do you wish to make a permanent difference in this world? Do you want your work to count for something? Then focus on love. When by God’s grace loving others becomes your aim, you’ll find the fulfillment you seek.

Let’s find out how.

“Our great desire”

Jesus is passionate about His dream for your life. When spiritual leaders catch that vision, they will stop at nothing for you to fulfill it.

You’re surrounded by witnesses who testify about the ultimate meaning of life. Listen to this list:

• “In the evening of life, we shall be judged on love alone.” – John of the Cross

• “The best use of life is love. The best expression of love is time. The best time for love is now.” – Rick Warren

• “Do not waste time bothering whether you ‘love’ your neighbor; act as if you did.” – C. S. Lewis

• “What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has the eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.” – Augustine

• The world is not a playground; it is a schoolroom. Life is not a holiday, but an education. And the one eternal lesson for us all is how better we can love.” – Henry Drummond

• “Following Christ has nothing to do with success as the world sees success. It has to do with love.” – Madeleine L’Engle

• “At the hour of death when we come face-to-face with God, we are going to be judged on love; not how much we have done, but how much love we put into the doing.” – Mother Teresa

You’re not alone in your search for significance. These followers of Jesus have practiced what they preach. They’ve learned the value of love and they admonish you obey Hebrews 6:11.

“Is that”

Don’t waste your time. God has given you this present moment, so invest it in what is worthwhile.

Have a hard time figuring that out? As the Lord for His help. Jesus will meet with you right here and right now. He will show you the will of God.

“You will keep on loving others”

This is what believers do and must continue to do, even when it gets hard. When you’re tempted to give up, keep on loving. When the goodness you offer is rejected, don’t harden your heart. When you demonstrate the love of God, you bless people even if they refuse to acknowledge it. You may not always be accepted, but in God’s sight, your efforts to love will always be approved.

“As long as life lasts”

Love as long as you live. If you’re still here, you can bless. If you’re breathing, you can show kindness. If you follow Jesus, He will teach you to care. Love is more than a spiritual command; it’s an invitation to excellence.

“In order”

Love and wisdom belong together. Affection needs guidance and direction; insight requires motivation. Combine the work of your head and your heart to glorify God and benefit others.

“To make certain”

It’s hard to stick with anything, including loving for a lifetime, if you lack a reason for the commitment. You need to know that your contributions count, that you make a difference. Don’t despair; love creates its own meaning.

“That what you hope for”

Why do you love others? Is it okay to love them for your own reasons? It seems selfish; we should value people for their own sake and not consider ourselves at all.

But we all know that we want something out of a relationship. We care about others but we also care about ourselves.

So what do you hope to accomplish? In your life and in the lives of others, what do you want to build?

“Will come true”

It may take a lifetime, but godly desires will find fulfillment.

Live as though God will judge you. Without anger or animosity, the Lord will evaluate how much like Jesus you’ve become. Trust in Christ for salvation and in all your activities, interests, and pursuits, don’t leave Him out. Make love your chief aim.

Love is labor, but it’s a labor that lasts.