Topic: Be diligent in Love [Archbishop Margaret E. Benson Idahosa] Above Only Daily Devotional 27 June 2020
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Be diligent in Love
Hebrews 6:10 (KJV) For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
Hebrews 6:10 (GNB) God is not unfair. He will not forget the work you did or the love you showed for him in the help you gave and are still giving to other Christians.
Hebrews 13:1b (GNB) He had always loved those in the world who were his own, and he loved them to the very end.
Galatians 6:10 As who have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
The only way we can be diligent in showing love to others is when we are diligent in allowing the love of God to fill our hearts. Without this, we will burn out and run dry and we will struggle to love people the way God wants us to. As the love of God fills your hearts, we will not love people because they deserve it. We will love them because we have God’s nature of love in us and we are children of God. Jesus wants us to love one another in the same way He loves us, John 15:12. As we become more like Jesus, we will be able to love people more just as Jesus loves them. We become more like Jesus as we focus on Him, 2 Cor. 3:18. Our desire should always be to become more like Jesus and to show the same kind of love and sacrifice that Jesus has shown to us unto others. Our desire should be that as we relate with people, they would see and feel the very love of Christ being expressed to them through us. Ephesians 5:1-2 “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear s=children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.” Ephesians 4:15 says, “But speaking the truth in love, (we) may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.”
God wants us to love all men, but He wants us to express His love more to fellow believers. Jesus did not love His disciples to the end because they were all perfect or because they deserved His love. He loved them with the same love that God the Father has for them. He never gave up on them and His love transformed their lives. Tell people the truth, listen to them, give to them when they are in need, show mercy and forgive them when they do wrong. Treat them as you would treat Jesus, Matt. 25:40. Overcome evil with good, Rom. 12:21.
Prayer Focus:
Ask God to fill your heart with more of His love and ask Him to make you more like Christ. Thank Him for the ability to be diligent in love.
Bible in one year reading plan:
- Job 11-13
- Acts 9:1-21