Topic: Grow in Your Love walk [Archbishop Margaret E. Benson Idahosa] Above Only Daily Devotional 15 May 2020
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Grow in Your Love walk
1 Corinthians 13:3-7 & 11 (GNB) I may give away everything I have, and even give up my body to be burned – but if I have not love, this does me no good. Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. Love never gives up; and its faith, hope, and patience never fail. 11 When I was a child, my speech, feelings, and thinking were all those of a child; now that I am adult, I have no more use for childish ways.
Jesus did not say it is by praying in tongues or prophesying or by the kind of wealth and possessions we have that people will know that we are His disciples. In John 13:35 (GNB), Jesus said, “If you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples.” The Corinthian Church did not lack any spiritual gift (1Cor. 1:7), but Apostle Paul described them as carnal and babies in Christ, because instead of walking in love, there was so much envy, strife and divisions among them, 1 Cor. 3:1-3. The real measure of your faith and level of spiritual maturity is the extent to which you are manifesting and revealing the love of God from your life. God is love, (1 John 4:8) and as His children, our lives must reflect His nature of love.
The first step to growing in the love of God is by growing in your revelation of the love of God for you. You cannot give what you do not have. The more you receive God’s love, the more you will be able to give it. We receive God’s love by focusing on what God has done for you through Christ, Rom. 5:8-10. It is as we know the length, breadth, depth and height of Christ’s love, that we will be filled with all of Gods’ fullness, Eph. 3:18-19. The Holy Spirit spreads God’s love in our hearts, Rom. 5:5. The greatness of God’s love is reflected by the riches of His mercy, Eph. 2:4. A major reflection of the extent of God’s love you have received is the way you forgive and show mercy to others. The love of God also gives, John 3:16. The love of God in us causes us to make sacrifices and give to the needs of others, 1 John 3:16-17. The love of God also makes us pray for others, (Eph. 1:16, 1 Thes. 1:2). Treat fellow believers the same way you will treat Jesus Himself, Matt. 25:40. Let God’s love motivate you in all you do.
Prayer Focus:
Thank God for the great love that He has shown you in Christ. Ask Him to reveal more of His love to you and help you love others more.
Bible in one year reading plan:
- 2 Kings 24-25
- John 5:1-24