LOVE GOD/LOVE PEOPLE
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us. Those who obey God’s commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us.
1 John 3:23-24 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
Jesus told us in the gospels entire law and prophets hang on two commandments—to love God and to love our neighbor. John carries that theme in this passage by telling us we must believe in Jesus as the Son of God and love one another. If we love God, we will obey God’s commandments. A lot of people attempt to make the gospel message complicated, but the truth is the gospel is simple—love God and love your neighbor. If we love God, we will obey God’s commandments which are basically wrapped up in loving other people. It is not easy in our selfish flesh to love some people, that is why God has given us the Holy Spirit to live in us and empower us to love God and love people. Loving others mean I prefer their wishes over my desires. It means I seek the best for others even when I may suffer. This is an attitude that is very contrary to our sinful, selfish flesh. To conquer the selfish flesh God has given us the Holy Spirit to live in us. As we mature in listening to the Holy Spirit, we learn to live in step with the Spirit instead of our flesh.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit I ask for You to empower me to overcome my sinful, selfish flesh and live in obedience to You by loving God and loving others.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”
I've come to see that this call to be love ...to live a love centered life is the essence of Jesus' beautiful teachings about entering/living in the Kingdom of God. As a child I was taught that I needed to believe certain things about Jesus, but as an adult I hear Jesus saying that living in the Kingdom of God is all about being the Love that God made us. To be in the Kingdom of God - follow me - do as I do - understand as I do - and it's all about loving God with everything you are and loving your neighbor as yourself. While this is a narrow path, it is possible for everyone everywhere a…
1 John is one of my favorite books in the Bible it really gives me a glimpse of love that Jesus and God preach about.
Lord, I want to shout "NO!" to my sin. Thank You for the Holy Spirit that empowers me to do just that.