Reaffirming God’s Love

Review

Week 1: Recognizing God’s Love – opening our eyes to how God defines love.

Week 2: Receiving God’s Love – opening our hearts to how God sends love.

Week 3: Releasing God’s Love – opening our hands to give love intentionally, unconditionally, and in ways others can receive it.

This week is the final step in the “love walk”. It is the hardest to exercise but demonstrates maturity.

“Choose to restore love after it has been tested.” – Dr. D’Ann V. Johnson

The true measure of love is whether it can be returned after it has been wounded.

In the scripture, after the repentance of Paul, he instructs the church to not leave him in sorrow, but rather to forgive him, comfort him, and reaffirm love for him.

• To forgive is to grant as a favor. To gratuitously in kindness, pardon or rescue someone. It is not a condition of whether or not the person is deserving of it.
• To comfort is to call near, to invite, and invoke consolation.
• To reaffirm is to ratify your love. Confirm publicly and make it valid that you love them.

 

WHY DOES REAFIRMING LOVE MATTER?

Reaffirming Love Tests Our Obedience (2:9)

2 Cor. 2:9 – For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything.

 

• Reaffirming love is proof that we are governed by Christ and not our emotions.
• Will we be God-like to others that are in need of forgiveness?
• Partial obedience is disobedience.

 

Reaffirming Love Positions Us to Be Forgiven (2:10)

2 Cor. 2:10 – Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ.

 

• Reaffirming love reminds us that the mercy we extend is the mercy we receive in our own lives.
• We struggle with forgiving others, as well as forgiving ourselves.

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Reaffirming Love Closes the Door to the Enemy (2:11)

2 Cor. 2:11 ESV – so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

 

• Reaffirming love slams the door and locks against the enemy and maintains the protection of the Holy Spirit.
• When we do not reaffirm or forgive, the enemy will have an opportunity to reach in and have a greater impact.
• The enemy attacks through offense, bitterness, and division.

“When love is not reaffirmed, resentment grows, relationships fracture, people withdraw and the enemy gains ground.” – Dr. D’Ann V. Johnson

In conclusion, it is even more important to affirm love, for the real danger is that another can be swallowed up in too much sorrow.  It would take only reaffirming love to restore.