LET ALL YOU DO BE DONE IN LOVE

LET ALL YOU DO BE DONE IN LOVE

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 1 Corinthians 16:14

Key Verse: “Let all your things be done with charity.” — 1 Corinthians 16:14 (KJV)

Supporting Texts: John 13:34-35; 1 Corinthians 13:1-8, 13; Matthew 22:37-40; Romans 12:9-10; Galatians 5:13-14; Ephesians 4:15-16; Colossians 3:12-14; 1 Peter 4:8

Description: Christian love should govern every aspect of a believer's life, including relationships, service, speech, correction, leadership, worship, and daily conduct, because love reflects the character of Christ and fulfils God's command.

INTRODUCTION

Love is at the heart of the Christian faith. Christianity is not merely a collection of doctrines, rules, activities, or religious practices; it is a relationship with God that transforms the believer's heart and produces love towards God and others. Jesus identified love for God and love for one's neighbour as the two greatest commandments.

Paul concludes his first letter to the Corinthians with a remarkably simple but comprehensive instruction: “Let all your things be done with charity.” After addressing many issues in the Corinthian church; including division, spiritual gifts, worship, Christian liberty, and resurrection, Paul brings everything back to the principle of love. Whatever believers do must be governed by genuine Christian love.

This command challenges us to examine not only what we do but how and why we do it. We may preach, give, serve, lead, correct, worship, or exercise spiritual gifts, but if these things are not governed by love, they can lose their true Christian character. Love must therefore become the atmosphere in which the believer lives and serves.

1. LOVE IS THE FOUNDATION OF CHRISTIAN LIVING

Everything in the Christian life should flow from love.

a) Love God Completely (Matthew 22:37)
Our relationship with God must be rooted in wholehearted love.

b) Love Your Neighbour (Matthew 22:39)
Christian love extends beyond our relationship with God to other people.

c) Love Fulfils God's Law (Romans 13:8-10)
Genuine love produces conduct that honours God's commandments.

d) Love Identifies Christ's Followers (John 13:35)
Our love for one another provides evidence that we belong to Christ.

2. LET LOVE GOVERN YOUR ATTITUDE

Love begins in the heart and influences how we see others.

a) Be Kind And Compassionate (Ephesians 4:32)
Love produces kindness rather than cruelty.

b) Honour Others (Romans 12:10)
A loving heart recognises the value of other people.

c) Avoid Selfish Ambition (Philippians 2:3)
Love does not seek superiority over others.

d) Rejoice With Others (Romans 12:15)
Love enables us to celebrate another person's blessing without envy.

3. LET LOVE GOVERN YOUR WORDS

Our speech should reflect the love of Christ.

a) Speak The Truth In Love (Ephesians 4:15)
Truth should be communicated without unnecessary harshness.

b) Speak Words That Build (Ephesians 4:29)
Our words should strengthen rather than destroy.

c) Be Slow To Speak (James 1:19)
Love produces self-control in communication.

d) Avoid Destructive Speech (Proverbs 16:28)
Gossip and destructive words can divide relationships and communities.

4. LET LOVE GOVERN YOUR SERVICE

Christian service should be motivated by love rather than recognition.

a) Serve One Another In Love (Galatians 5:13)
Freedom in Christ should result in humble service.

b) Use Your Gifts To Bless Others (1 Peter 4:10)
Our gifts are given for the benefit of others.

c) Serve As Unto The Lord (Colossians 3:23)
Love for Christ should motivate our service.

d) Do Not Serve For Applause (Matthew 6:1)
God desires sincere service rather than religious performance for public approval.

5. LOVE MUST ACCOMPANY SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Spiritual gifts are powerful, but love gives them their proper purpose.

a) Gifts Without Love Are Empty (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)
Impressive spiritual abilities cannot replace genuine love.

b) Love Builds Others (1 Corinthians 8:1)
The proper use of spiritual gifts should strengthen people.

c) Seek To Edify The Church (1 Corinthians 14:12)
Spiritual gifts should contribute to the growth of the body.

d) Use Gifts For God's Glory (1 Peter 4:11)
Every gift should ultimately direct attention to God.

6. LOVE KNOWS HOW TO DEAL WITH OFFENCES

Love does not ignore wrong but responds with grace and wisdom.

a) Be Patient (1 Corinthians 13:4)
Love does not react impulsively to people's weaknesses.

b) Forgive Others (Colossians 3:13)
Love releases resentment and chooses forgiveness.

c) Correct In A Spirit Of Gentleness (Galatians 6:1)
Correction should seek restoration rather than humiliation.

d) Cover Offences With Love (1 Peter 4:8)
Love prevents unnecessary escalation of offences.

7. LOVE REJECTS ENVY AND COMPETITION

Love celebrates others rather than competing with them.

a) Love Does Not Envy (1 Corinthians 13:4)
We should not resent another person's success.

b) Do Not Compare Yourself With Others (2 Corinthians 10:12)
Comparison can produce pride, insecurity, or jealousy.

c) Rejoice When Others Rejoice (Romans 12:15)
Love celebrates the blessings of others.

d) Prefer One Another In Honour (Romans 12:10)
Love willingly gives others recognition.

8. LOVE ENDURES DIFFICULT RELATIONSHIPS

Christian love is tested when relationships become difficult.

a) Love Is Patient (1 Corinthians 13:4)
Patience allows people room to grow.

b) Love Bears All Things (1 Corinthians 13:7)
Love remains committed even through difficult circumstances.

c) Love Does Not Keep A Record Of Wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5)
Love refuses to live permanently in resentment.

d) Love Never Fails (1 Corinthians 13:8)
Genuine love remains steadfast.

9. LET LOVE GOVERN THE CHURCH

The Church should be known for the love of Christ.

a) Maintain The Unity Of The Spirit (Ephesians 4:3)
Love strengthens the bonds that hold believers together.

b) Bear With One Another (Ephesians 4:2)
Patience and humility protect Christian fellowship.

c) Build One Another Up (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
Love seeks to strengthen rather than weaken fellow believers.

d) Let Love Bind Everything Together (Colossians 3:14)
Love provides the bond of Christian maturity.

10. MAKE LOVE YOUR DAILY WAY OF LIFE

Paul says “all” things should be done in love.

a) Love At Home (Ephesians 5:25; Titus 2:4)
Christian love must begin in our closest relationships.

b) Love At Work (Colossians 3:23-24)
Our conduct in the workplace should reflect Christ.

c) Love In The Community (Matthew 5:16)
Our love should become a witness to those around us.

d) Love At All Times (1 Corinthians 16:14)
Love must not be reserved for convenient moments; it should become our lifestyle.

CONCLUSION

Paul's command, “Let all your things be done with charity,” is comprehensive. It means that love should influence our words, attitudes, decisions, relationships, service, leadership, worship, correction, and use of spiritual gifts. Love is not weakness; it is spiritual strength expressed through patience, truth, forgiveness, humility, compassion, and self-control.

As followers of Christ, we must allow His love to shape everything we do. Let us refuse bitterness, envy, pride, selfishness, and unforgiveness. Let us choose to speak in love, serve in love, correct in love, lead in love, forgive in love, and relate to others in love. When love governs our lives, Christ becomes visible through our conduct, and God receives glory through everything we do.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, fill my heart with genuine love for You and for the people around me, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, help me to let love govern my attitudes, decisions, words, and actions, in Jesus name.

3. Father, deliver me from pride, selfishness, envy, bitterness, and every attitude contrary to Christian love, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, teach me to speak the truth in love and use my words to build and encourage others, in Jesus name.

5. Father, let my service to You and Your people always flow from genuine love rather than a desire for recognition, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, help me to use every spiritual gift You have given me to strengthen and bless others, in Jesus name.

7. Father, give me grace to forgive those who offend me and respond to difficult relationships with patience and wisdom, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, remove every spirit of jealousy and competition from my heart and teach me to celebrate the success of others, in Jesus name.

9. Father, let Your love unite Your Church and help us to build one another up in faith, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, help me to make love my daily way of life so that everything I do will glorify Christ, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. The love of God shall fill your heart and overflow into your relationships.

2. Your attitudes, words, and actions shall increasingly reflect the character of Christ.

3. Every root of pride, envy, bitterness, selfishness, and unforgiveness shall be uprooted from your life.

4. Your words shall bring healing, encouragement, wisdom, and strength to those who hear you.

5. Your service to God shall be motivated by genuine love and produce lasting kingdom fruit.

6. The spiritual gifts God has placed in you shall become instruments for building and strengthening others.

7. You shall receive grace to forgive quickly, love sincerely, and handle offences with wisdom.

8. You shall not be trapped by jealousy or competition; you shall rejoice in the blessings and advancement of others.

9. Your relationships shall experience greater peace, unity, patience, and mutual honour.

10. From this day forward, everything you do shall be governed by divine love, reflect Christ, bless others, and bring glory to God, in Jesus name.