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This motivation of love is the key to serving and to living the Christian life. Without it, serving starts out fine and then seems to go into the ditch of boredom, resentment and duty. That is why we need a supernatural dose of God’s love before we step out and serve! In fact, love is so important that Jesus summed up the Ten Commandments into just two, and both involve love:
“Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. ‘This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.’” Matthew 22:37-40 (NLT)
As Christians, we are to be motivated by this love, which the Bible describes as:
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT)
With this verse, I see how imperfect I am! I need help from God to have love this perfect, even for my children and husband, much less the other imperfect people around me. And the Bible says that anything we do without love is useless:
“If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13 (NLT)
Love is the motivation God wants us to have as we live and serve those around us. He wants us to live out the love and sacrifice that Jesus lived out for us, so that the world can see Jesus. So what does a life motivated by love look like? The Bible says:
“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!” Romans 12:9-16 (NLT)
Lord, we repent of serving others purely from duty and not out of Your love. Please help us have Your perfect love. Let it underpin all that we do in this life! Bring forth Your Kingdom in our hearts and lives. Let the world see You when they look at us. Thank You for the secret ingredient of Your Love that empowers us to serve each other!
“Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. ‘This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.’” Matthew 22:37-40 (NLT)
As Christians, we are to be motivated by this love, which the Bible describes as:
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT)
With this verse, I see how imperfect I am! I need help from God to have love this perfect, even for my children and husband, much less the other imperfect people around me. And the Bible says that anything we do without love is useless:
“If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13 (NLT)
Love is the motivation God wants us to have as we live and serve those around us. He wants us to live out the love and sacrifice that Jesus lived out for us, so that the world can see Jesus. So what does a life motivated by love look like? The Bible says:
“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!” Romans 12:9-16 (NLT)
Lord, we repent of serving others purely from duty and not out of Your love. Please help us have Your perfect love. Let it underpin all that we do in this life! Bring forth Your Kingdom in our hearts and lives. Let the world see You when they look at us. Thank You for the secret ingredient of Your Love that empowers us to serve each other!