“Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Thoughts to ponder:
Love is listed as the first fruit of the Spirit. As we read the verses listed above, we can see that love embodies most if not all of the other eight virtues included in the fruit of the Spirit.
Many of the others listed could technically be practiced on their own without love. However, it is impossible to remove all of the other virtues and have love remain. The love of God in us and extended through us is vital to a Spirit led life because it is what should identify us as Christ followers.
The ability to love one another, not just our brothers and sisters in Christ but EVERYONE, is central to revealing God’s love to those around us. Jesus puts it to us this way in John 13: 34-35:“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
I have a refrigerator magnet that reminds me “Love is a daily decision”. That means even when I don’t feel like it, even when people are difficult, it is my responsibility to CHOOSE to love. By cultivating our relationship with God regularly, we can submit our view of things to Him and allow Him to love through us. His power to do this is available to all who are willing to receive it.
Challenge/Action Step:
~Identify someone in your life that is difficult for you to love and ask God for the ability to see them as God sees them.
~Does this change your willingness to love them?
~Now think of a very practical way of showing that person God’s love and commit to doing that by the end of this challenge.
Prayer for today:
Dear Lord, as your children, give us the willingness and desire to follow the examples of love that you have given us.Empower us with your strength to choose to do as you do and help us to see as you do. May we be a compassionate people and may other be drawn to you because of your great love in us. ~ Amen.
Please take a minute to leave a comment or question. I would be happy to connect with you. Also, join us again next time for our devotional on Joy.
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