WHERE IS THE LOVE? WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?
BIBLE PASSAGE:
But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most
holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in
God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ
to bring you to eternal life.
(Jude 20-21)
MEDITATION:
The Bible is a revelation of the fact that God is love. Some people
misunderstand the attribute of God’s nature – which is love. It
doesn’t mean that God will not allow punishment for sin, but His
justice is a justice tempered with love.
God’s righteousness is righteousness founded on love. God’s
atonement is an atonement planned by love, provided by love,
given by love, finished by love, and necessitated because of love.
The resurrection of Christ is the miracle of love. The return of
Christ is the fulfillment of love.
When we think of God, we should automatically think of love.
No matter what sin we have committed, or how terrible, dirty,
or shameful it may be, God loves us. This love of God is a type
that is immeasurable, unmistakable, and unending!
We are told to keep ourselves in God’s love by building ourselves up.
Does that mean we become selfish and egotistical? Of course not! It
means we build ourselves up in the way God wants us to be built up.
We transform from who we are, to who He wants us to be.
We do it His way and not our own way. We embrace His sanctification
process to recreate us by replacing unrighteousness with righteousness.
We sustain a faith that is holy, and we pray with the attitude of the Holy
Spirit.
When we have the love of God in our heart, instead of responding defensively
when others hurt us, we have the capability to absorb the pain they inflict and
pray for God to change their heart. We learn to stay out of God’s way and let
Him speak to the heart of others, rather than making efforts to change them
ourselves.
Since the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, we should pray intercessory
prayers for others. We should pray,
– for their salvation.
– for their healing.
– for their encouragement.
– for them to overcome the evil one.
– that they use the spiritual gifts God has given them.
– for anything that will make them more righteous.
– for them to love like God does.
So, what is the result of keeping ourselves in God’s love? We develop
patience as we anticipate the mercy of the Lord to bring us to eternal
life. We can’t get our minds around the bliss that awaits us in heaven,
but we know it will be wonderful, because it is filled with God’s love!
That’s what we are told in God’s Word.
ACTION:
Some questions we could ask ourselves:
– Am I fully aware of God’s love for me?
– How has His love changed my life?
– Do I allow His love to flow through me to others?
– Am I making efforts to remain in His love?
– Can I absorb the hurt inflicted by others?
Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your never-ending love
for me! Thank You for loving me in spite of my faults and
failures. Teach me to love others in the same way that You
love me. Show me how to change my attitudes so Your love
can flow through me. Help me to maintain my faith and to
communicate with You daily through prayer. There is no
other source for me to learn about true love than through
You. I express my heartfelt gratitude to You, Father, for
Your forgiveness and love.”
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