21 Days in 2024
LOVING WELL
"We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death" (1 John 3:14).
The result of learning to love others well is an outpouring of life. The proof of life, the evidence of passing from death to life, is that love flows from us to those around us. What a simple yet profound measure of fruitfulness. We know that spiritual fruitfulness is impossible without learning to abide in the vine. To love well without abiding in Him is also impossible.
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).
Pursuing the miraculous without pursuing the Miracle-Worker is an empty work. Every sign and every wonder is designed to present us with the One Who makes impossible things happen through His love. If miracles don’t connect us with God’s love for us they have very little purpose.
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing" (1 Corinthians 13:1).
Love is the clarity we need for effective ministry. Whatever we do for the Lord must be baptised in love. Love is our motivation as well as our goal. Lives are transformed when we love well. God’s love is what will illuminate the path forward for the world. That love is not only the light we see, it is the Life we experience. Life is our gift from the Giver of Life.
"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:15)
"Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life" (Romans 5:18).
If we make loving well our focus, we will minister to others with compassion and with power. God’s love is not an emotion it is a force. It is the power that opens the way for redemption and forgiveness and that is how lives are changed.
"By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren" (1 John 3:16).
Our truth is The Truth. But our message has always been demonstration and words shared through life. It was never meant to be only words. Let’s take up the challenge to become our message. Let’s accept the responsibility of our inheritance as sons of God.
"And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts" (2 Peter 1:19).
"Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. 9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him" (1 John 2:8-10)
"Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel" (2 Timothy 1:8-10).
The result of learning to love others well is an outpouring of life. The proof of life, the evidence of passing from death to life, is that love flows from us to those around us. What a simple yet profound measure of fruitfulness. We know that spiritual fruitfulness is impossible without learning to abide in the vine. To love well without abiding in Him is also impossible.
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).
Pursuing the miraculous without pursuing the Miracle-Worker is an empty work. Every sign and every wonder is designed to present us with the One Who makes impossible things happen through His love. If miracles don’t connect us with God’s love for us they have very little purpose.
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing" (1 Corinthians 13:1).
Love is the clarity we need for effective ministry. Whatever we do for the Lord must be baptised in love. Love is our motivation as well as our goal. Lives are transformed when we love well. God’s love is what will illuminate the path forward for the world. That love is not only the light we see, it is the Life we experience. Life is our gift from the Giver of Life.
"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:15)
"Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life" (Romans 5:18).
If we make loving well our focus, we will minister to others with compassion and with power. God’s love is not an emotion it is a force. It is the power that opens the way for redemption and forgiveness and that is how lives are changed.
"By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren" (1 John 3:16).
Our truth is The Truth. But our message has always been demonstration and words shared through life. It was never meant to be only words. Let’s take up the challenge to become our message. Let’s accept the responsibility of our inheritance as sons of God.
"And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts" (2 Peter 1:19).
"Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. 9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him" (1 John 2:8-10)
"Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel" (2 Timothy 1:8-10).
Posted in 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting