Living a Life of Love
Dear Friends,
I've been thinking a lot about love this week. About God's love for me, my love for him and his calling on my life to love others.
Do I live a life of love? Is my life characterised by love?
"Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that" Ephesians 5:1-2 (MSG)
The Amplified Bible puts it this way:
"Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]; and walk continually in love [that is, value one another—practice empathy and compassion, unselfishly seeking the best for others], just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God [slain for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance."
Lawrence Richards in his book 'Encyclopedia of Bible Words' (Zondervan, 1991) writes about Love's Lifestyle and brings out 7 points. Today we are going to look briefly at these 7 points.
1. Love creates community
"So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35 (NLT)
You and I are God's family. There is a bond between us. We are connected to each other. We may be a group of people from different backgrounds, different cultures, different ages etc, but the moment we come together, even if we are strangers, there is an immediate connection with each other because of our love for God and one another.
"The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit." 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 (NLT)
Our community should be characterised by unconditional love and acceptance. A place where we encourage and support one another, celebrate together and cry together.
2. Love prompts obedience
Jesus said this: "Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them." John 14:21 (NLT)
Our obedience does not come from a sense of duty or fear of punishment, but we obey because we love God and want to do what pleases him.
3. Love provides motivation
Our love for God is what motivates us to live for God and love others. It is God's love in us that motivates us to love and serve others. I would do anything for my own family because I love them. Nothing they ask is too much. But I wonder if I have this same love those outside of my family? I find that a challenging thought!
If I'm not motivated by my love for God, I will be serving and doing things with wrong motives and wrong attitudes. My actions will become more about me and less about God and others. I need that same servant heart that Jesus had.
Paul wrote this to the Thessalonian believers: "We give thanks to God always for all of you, continually mentioning you in our prayers; recalling unceasingly before our God and Father your work energized by faith, and your service motivated by love and unwavering hope in [the return of] our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 (AMP)
4. Love transforms character
Christ exemplified a life of love. He was compassionate, kind, gentle, patient, forgiving. His love was all inclusive, no one was excluded from his love and he often went out of his way to show love to those who were considered unlovable.
As Christians, we are to grow more like Christ. When we are open to the work of the Holy Spirit he can change us from within and make us more like Christ.
The more like Christ we become, the more we will demonstrate his love to others. Our love for others will be evident in our speech, our actions and our attitudes.
"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." Romans 12:2 (NLT)
The Amplified Bible puts it this way: "And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you]."
5. Love provides purpose
Love is the reason behind what we do. We serve others because of our love for God and what he has done for us.
Our purpose behind what we do is not for selfish reasons, it's not to gain recognition, it's not because we expect anything in return. We do what we do for love. It's a love that seeks to do good to all and points others to God. When people question why we are doing what we do it gives us the opportunity to share with them about God's love for them.
"Above all, have fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others]." 1 Peter 4:8 (AMP)
6. Love compels concern
"For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again." 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (NIV)
Christ's love for us compels us to live for him rather than living for ourselves. It compels us to share the good news with others.
Our love for others is about having a practical concern for them. It's more than expressing sympathy which says "I'm sorry you're going through that" but a concern, a compassion, which leads to love in action.
7. Love stabilises relationships
"Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful." Colossians 3:12-15 (NLT)
If we were to love others like this, just think what our relationship with one another would look like!
To Think About:
Consider the 7 points above. Which one would you say is a strength of yours?
Which of the 7 points do you find more challenging? How could you become stronger in that area?
Spend time over the week asking God what he wants to say to you regarding each of the 7 points.
Vicki
If what you read was of interest to you, then you may like to know that my book "Dear Friend...52 Weekly Devotions to Encourage, Challenge and Inspire" is available to buy from Amazon. (It's content is material adapted from previous blog posts.) To learn more, click on the link below:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1517787955/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1487243591&sr=1-1&keywords=Vicki+Cottingham
I've been thinking a lot about love this week. About God's love for me, my love for him and his calling on my life to love others.
Do I live a life of love? Is my life characterised by love?
"Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that" Ephesians 5:1-2 (MSG)
The Amplified Bible puts it this way:
"Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]; and walk continually in love [that is, value one another—practice empathy and compassion, unselfishly seeking the best for others], just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God [slain for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance."
Lawrence Richards in his book 'Encyclopedia of Bible Words' (Zondervan, 1991) writes about Love's Lifestyle and brings out 7 points. Today we are going to look briefly at these 7 points.
1. Love creates community
"So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35 (NLT)
You and I are God's family. There is a bond between us. We are connected to each other. We may be a group of people from different backgrounds, different cultures, different ages etc, but the moment we come together, even if we are strangers, there is an immediate connection with each other because of our love for God and one another.
"The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit." 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 (NLT)
Our community should be characterised by unconditional love and acceptance. A place where we encourage and support one another, celebrate together and cry together.
2. Love prompts obedience
Jesus said this: "Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them." John 14:21 (NLT)
Our obedience does not come from a sense of duty or fear of punishment, but we obey because we love God and want to do what pleases him.
3. Love provides motivation
Our love for God is what motivates us to live for God and love others. It is God's love in us that motivates us to love and serve others. I would do anything for my own family because I love them. Nothing they ask is too much. But I wonder if I have this same love those outside of my family? I find that a challenging thought!
If I'm not motivated by my love for God, I will be serving and doing things with wrong motives and wrong attitudes. My actions will become more about me and less about God and others. I need that same servant heart that Jesus had.
Paul wrote this to the Thessalonian believers: "We give thanks to God always for all of you, continually mentioning you in our prayers; recalling unceasingly before our God and Father your work energized by faith, and your service motivated by love and unwavering hope in [the return of] our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 (AMP)
4. Love transforms character
Christ exemplified a life of love. He was compassionate, kind, gentle, patient, forgiving. His love was all inclusive, no one was excluded from his love and he often went out of his way to show love to those who were considered unlovable.
As Christians, we are to grow more like Christ. When we are open to the work of the Holy Spirit he can change us from within and make us more like Christ.
The more like Christ we become, the more we will demonstrate his love to others. Our love for others will be evident in our speech, our actions and our attitudes.
"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." Romans 12:2 (NLT)
The Amplified Bible puts it this way: "And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you]."
5. Love provides purpose
Love is the reason behind what we do. We serve others because of our love for God and what he has done for us.
Our purpose behind what we do is not for selfish reasons, it's not to gain recognition, it's not because we expect anything in return. We do what we do for love. It's a love that seeks to do good to all and points others to God. When people question why we are doing what we do it gives us the opportunity to share with them about God's love for them.
"Above all, have fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others]." 1 Peter 4:8 (AMP)
6. Love compels concern
"For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again." 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (NIV)
Christ's love for us compels us to live for him rather than living for ourselves. It compels us to share the good news with others.
Our love for others is about having a practical concern for them. It's more than expressing sympathy which says "I'm sorry you're going through that" but a concern, a compassion, which leads to love in action.
7. Love stabilises relationships
"Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful." Colossians 3:12-15 (NLT)
If we were to love others like this, just think what our relationship with one another would look like!
To Think About:
Consider the 7 points above. Which one would you say is a strength of yours?
Which of the 7 points do you find more challenging? How could you become stronger in that area?
Spend time over the week asking God what he wants to say to you regarding each of the 7 points.
Vicki
If what you read was of interest to you, then you may like to know that my book "Dear Friend...52 Weekly Devotions to Encourage, Challenge and Inspire" is available to buy from Amazon. (It's content is material adapted from previous blog posts.) To learn more, click on the link below:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1517787955/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1487243591&sr=1-1&keywords=Vicki+Cottingham
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