Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.—Ephesians 5:2 (NLT)
This post was initially to be directed to married couples as a Marriage Monday post. But I believe the subject is one we can benefit from in every aspect of our lives—married or not.
In our daily lives, it is so easy to get distraught, disturbed and even disgusted with the circumstances and people in our lives. But in these circumstances it would do us well to focus on what God’s Word tells us more than what the present situation is demanding. What do I mean?
Well, let’s take marriage as an example. When a situation arises where a disagreement takes place, we must make every effort to choose the path of love…rather than strife. It is far easier to get mad and to let off “a little steam”, but that can do far more harm than good.
In every area of our lives, God has called us to be living, breathing examples of His love. Although we may not see this practiced as often as we should, it is a requirement for every redeemed child of God. Anyone can get angry, fight and stop speaking; but only those truly led by the spirit of God can take a step back and allow the very Spirit of Love take over.
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.—John 10:10
Strife is a killer. Not only can it kill a relationship, but it can kill our minds, emotions and bodies as well. The tension and frustration that builds up inside us when strife is allowed to remain unchecked is not healthy at all and must be avoided at all cost! Satan will use everything at his disposal to cause strife in our relationships. Whether in a marriage, with our children, other family members, neighbors, at work, or even at church…he is trying to tear us down through strife in our relationships.
Yet, we can win the strife fight by determining to walk in love with everyone around us every day. This is one hundred percent within our control. I did not say we will not have the opportunity to get angry and get in strife. But to walk in love is our responsibility—regardless how “crazy” someone else may be acting.
You may say: but that is impossible! My answer to that is “nothing is impossible with God”! We simply do not have the luxury to passively sit by and take whatever is thrown at us…we must fight strife. Nevertheless, we cannot fight as the world fights either! We must “fight the good fight of faith” and allow the power of the Word of God to fight for us. In other words, we must choose to follow the Word and stay strife-free by choosing to walk in love. For when we do this, we will remove strife from our lives and please the Father as well! So, my friends remember to fight strife by walking in love!
Have Faith1st
©2014 Faith1st Ministries
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Sebastian is a Christian, Author and Church Leadership trainer. His ministry calling, love for God, and His people; has led him into ministry of all types for over thirty years. He and his wife enjoy helping people in their walk of faith and finding solutions to the struggles of life, especially in the area of healing and marriage. Faith1st Blog is designed to open and continue the discussion on the subject of biblical "faith" as a "living" element of the Christian life. - "the just shall live by faith" - Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38 (KJV).
Faith1st Ministries 
Hi Sebastian. Our society is so filled with strife. The news channels, talk radio and internet are loaded with it. But the Bible says, “a soft answer turneth away wrath” (Proverbs 15:1, KJV). Thanks for your inspired writing. God bless you.
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You’re welcome Scott. Yes, our society is laden with strife but as God’s children, that should not be in us at all! Blessings!
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That is a good word!
But even when we fall short, and we so often do, His love for us never falls short.
Thanks, so much.
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You’re welcome my Brother and thank you as well! You are right, His love will NEVER fall short. Thank God! Blessings!
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You are teaching that we are to love like Jesus loved, and that is very unpopular. Modern people want to love as long as it is convenient. When it moves to sacrificial living it stops. When it comes to loving our enemies religion theologizes that away because we have rights. I have walked where love was not easy, and I will not say it came easily. But when I began to see people in their hate and harm as people giving up their souls to death it transformed my own eyesight. It was no longer about my feelings or career, but about eternal souls and eternity. And yes, our unforgiveness will produce physical symptoms in us.
The fruit of the Spirit is love. Everyone will know we follow Jesus by the way we love other believers. Love sums up all the laws and the prophets.
Peace
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How right you are Brother! It all starts and end with Love. The world need to see the Love of God in action and they need to see it expressed throughout the Body of Christ first. How can we properly express God’s Love to those outside, if we are full of hate, spite, strife, etc, towards those within the Body? Love is the way! Thanks for the comment as always!
Blessings!
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Amen, great challenging message to work upon. Thanks for sharing….remain blessed
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You’re welcome Alton and thank you as well! Blessings to you and yours!
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