To Love More Like Christ

1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

At the start of the lockdown, my Pastor encouraged my small group to make a list of things we wanted to improve on during lockdown. In my list was "To love more like Christ". I don't have a list of people I dislike or anything (hope not haha), but I know it's easy to slide as days go by. And, I am re-learning it's something to actively seek daily. May we be encouraged in this:

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT).

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (Also see the NKJV and MSG translations)

2 Timothy 1:7.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

1 John 3:18; John 15:12.

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

It's important we grow in love because it's who God is (1 John 4:16), it's the one thing more important to Him than religion (Luke 10:25-37), and it's how He works (John 3:16, 13:35, 15:13).

"I fully believe that we are saved by grace, through faith, by the gift of God, and that true faith manifests itself through our actions... James 2:17. The lives of many Christians lack manifestations of a vital and active faith. And this frightens me, it keeps me up at night. It causes me to pray desperately and fervently for my congregation, for the groups of people I speak to, and for the church as a whole."
- F. Chan. Crazy Love, p.95.

"Neither natural love nor God's divine love will remain and grow in me unless it is nurtured. Love is spontaneous, but it has to be maintained through discipline."
- O. Chambers. My Utmost For His Highest, p.5/11.

Love is the FULL work of the Holy Spirit in us which demands a FULL active response from us which may be costly and uncomfortable.

Reflect & Pray

When have you felt loved by someone? To whom might God lead you to share such Christ-like love?

O Lord, we are sorry for when we have not expressed your love as you required. Please help us to readily share your gospel of love and to love more like Christ - to be patient and kind, not proud, not irritable, but rooted and established in love. And give us hearts that seek to love in action with the help of your Spirit in Jesus name, amen.

God bless you exceedingly,
Sam.

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