Scripture Reading For Today: 1John 3:1-10
Kicking on with our discourse from yesterday on Love Language, a few questions were raised in my mind that have formed the basis of today’s devotional.
I must admit that I have not yet fully read the book, by Gary Chapman, but as I have been made to understand, my Love Language essentially denotes
the currency that establishes the worth of the tokens or proof of love that I like to receive or accept as a demonstration or maybe even a validation
of someone’s love for me.
the currency that establishes the worth of the tokens or proof of love that I like to receive or accept as a demonstration or maybe even a validation
of someone’s love for me.
Does this mean that if I am not receiving or getting these tokens, I will not be fulfilled in my relationship? Does it mean that my fulfilment in the
relationship is defined by what that other person does to me, what they do for me or what they are able to give to me?
relationship is defined by what that other person does to me, what they do for me or what they are able to give to me?
What if for whatever reason, your other “half” doesn’t understand or won’t speak your love language?
Is there not a danger that I will be defined by someone else’s actions or inactions?
That right there is the difference between how we love and how God loves. God’s love for us is not defined by what we do. God’s love for us is defined
by who He is, by What He is: God is Love.
by who He is, by What He is: God is Love.
While we love because of; God loves in spite of.
Just look at this scripture again:
“6For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7(For rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person perhaps someone might possibly dare to die.) 8But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9Much more then, because we have now been declared righteous by his blood, we will be saved through him from God’s wrath. 10For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, since we have been reconciled, will we be saved by his life?”
Think about that for a moment: God loved you that much even whilst you were still a sinner, that He give up His Son to die for you – He loved you even
when you didn’t know or couldn’t speak His love language.
when you didn’t know or couldn’t speak His love language.
Do you want to know why?
It is simply because natural love is usually a response, but the God kind of love is a choice.
Man’s love for people is a response to the expression of their love language. God’s love for man is a choice that He makes as an expression of His divine nature – the manifestation of who He is.
And that is the challenge before us today – we have to make a choice to love like God does and not simply love in response to what
people do to us, do for us or give to us.
people do to us, do for us or give to us.
Can you love like God loves?
May the Peace of Christ reign in you,
Shalom,
Pastor Wale Ola
LIFE APPLICATION:
1. What is God saying to me in today’s message?
2. What was ministered to me in the bible verses that I read today?
3. What are the changes or adjustments I need to make in my life to align with the word of God?
4. What is my commitment to the word for today?
5. What practical steps can I take to benefit from the word I have read today?
PRAYER FOCUS:
Spend some time meditating on God’s love for you
Pray the prayer: I want to be defined by Your love; I make a choice to live for you
Help me to love like you do; teach me to love in spite of and not just because of.
Song For Today: One Thing Remains – Jesus Culture