POWER OF LOVE

By: Dennis Harworth

It was a mildly humid Southern California summer night with (somewhat clear skies) and a few stars shining brightly.  The crickets had just started their symphony as the street lights were turning on.  One last buffing was made to my freshly waxed car, so that it glimmered like glass.  Now it was time to head to San Bernardino.  Why? 

It was Friday night and the “in” thing to do was to cruise E street. Hundreds of cars of all makes and models would cruise (sit low and go slow) up one side and down the other.  Hot-rodders and streets-rodders would show off their “souped up” shiny cars and race at the signal lights.  Some would race for bragging rights while others would race for pink slips.  Then, as a rule, everyone knew the race was “on” when two cars revved their engines at each other.

One night this beautiful custom painted, blue metallic, Pontiac GTO was cruising E, winning races and challenging all comers.  He had a 389 engine, four-barrel carburetor, uncorked headers with dual exhaust, and a four speed Hurst shifter.  The car was totally raked with fat rear racing tires and complimented with polished mag wheels that reflected light like a mirror.  Everyone greatly admired the car and had their eye out for someone who might be brave enough to challenge him.

Before long this little guy with a stock Ford Pinto worked his way alongside the GTO.  He started “trash talking” the driver saying that the car was all “show and no go.”  Anyone who noticed what was going on thought this was hilarious because a car like the Pinto was known as a “gutless wonder”.  The little guy kept it up until Mr. GTO accepted his challenge to “put up or shut up”.

As the next light turned green, the Pinto rocketed across the intersection, while the GTO was still “lighting up” the tires in a flurry of smoke.  Talk about an upset!  Obviously, everyone wanted to know what the Pinto had under the hood to make it so powerful.  Come to find out, while the outside was completely stock, the entire drivetrain had been replaced with a high-performance racing engine, transmission, and rear-end.  Needless to say, the little guy in the Pinto became somewhat of an overnight E Street celebrity.

While admiring the custom painted cars and chromed engines of the “muscles cars” at a recent car show, the Lord reminded me of that summer night so many decades ago, cruising on E Street.  I realized that although the Pinto’s power was hidden, the results of the power could not be seen until the power was used.

Did you know that there is power hidden inside every believer?  It is the power of love, but not just any love; it is the love of God, the supreme power of the universe.  It is the same power that sent Jesus to this earth to willingly lay down His life (John 15:13); to die in our place so that we would not perish (John 3:16); to be brutally whipped for our healing (1 Peter 2:24); and to display the power of love for our example (John 15:12).  Jesus also showed us how to love by doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil (Acts 10:38)

God will never tell us to do anything unless He gives us the power and ability to do it.  How is this possible?

Jesus commanded us to, “Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other” (John 13:34 NLT).  How is this possible? Only by the power of love.

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends (John 15:13 NKJV).  How is this possible?  Only by the power of love.

Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you (Matthew 5:44 NKJV).  How is this possible?  Only by the power of love.

And Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere.” Cast out demons in My name, and place your hands on the sick and heal them (Mark 16:15-20 NLT excerpts).  How is this possible?  Only by the power of love.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:32 NKJV)  How is this possible?  Only by the power of love.

Love is the very nature of Almighty God.  God is love, and when His nature lives on the inside, the power of His love is manifested when it is demonstrated through us.  And once this power is unleashed, everyone will want to know what we got (what is under our hood).  So lay down your life, love your enemies, share the Good News, forgive one another, and prove to the world that you belong to Jesus.  How is this possible? 

Only by the POWER OF LOVE.