Last week we discussed what it means to be the change and how we can be change agents by speaking up and by making changes in our own lives, by overcoming the things that limit or distract us from making personal changes.
This week we are discussing "She Loves".
How can we increase our love for others?
What does the word of God tel us about how we are to love?
1 John has a great deal to say on love. It's worth a read if you want to get God's heart on love.
Here's some other verses that underscore everything we will discuss today.
Romans 12:9
Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.
1 John 3:18:20
Little children let us not love by word and by mouth but in deed and in truth. By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our hearts before him. (RSV)
(NLT) Dear Children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.
Romans 5:8
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
Galatians 5:13-14
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy our sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: "love your neighbour as yourself."
Ephesians 5:2
Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us an offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to god.
Paul goes on to say in Galatians that love is a fruit of the Spirit within us. The more we allow the love of God in pour lives, and allow his Spirit to be at work in us, the more love will become an obvious fruit of our lives.
Jesus anointed by a sinful woman - Luke 7:36-48
We all owe a debt that only Jesus can forgive - in fact he has already paid for the price for it.
We are then encouraged to not have any debts except for the debt to love.
Romans 13:8
Owe nothing to anyone - except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbour, you will fulfil the requirements of God's law.
WE are to love:
Each other
in the way Jesus loves us:
John 13:34-35 - "Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples"
To love others:
(even when it is not easy)
as we love ourselves.
We want to look after ourselves, therefor we choose to obey by loving those around us.
1 Corinthians 13
Love is:
Patient
Kind
Never gives up
Never loses faith
Always hopeful
Endures through every circumstance
Love is not:
Boastful
Proud
This is a great list of how love works.
How are we going on the love scales?
If we were to measure ourselves, how would we do?
What would you like to do more of, to love others more fully?
What areas of loving others do you struggle with?
2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of lover, power, and self - discipline
Hebrews 10:24
Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works
Our love should prompt us to do good works. We do not receive love because of the good works, rather the good works are a natural outcome of love for God and love for others
Love does not ignore wrongs, love forgives wrongs and does not hold it against people.
Peter says love covers a multitude of sins
1 Peter 4:8
Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.
That does not mean sweeping it under the carpet, it means loving in a way that the wrongs of others do not change how you treat them or how you love them.
Love always wants the best so this means sometimes making hard and difficult decisions because what is best is not always easy.
For those of us who have kids - giving in sometimes seems to be the easy way for peace and quiet, but long term, it is not loving - because love also teaches discipline.
God disciplines us because he loves us, Hebrews 12:6;' we discipline our kids because we love them.
What about other people, well good boundaries help us love in a way that is best for the person.
A simple check. Is this something they could or should be doing for themselves?
If so, maybe it's time to step back a little and let them feel the consequence - this is also love.
What would you like to take away from todays discussion?
What is God speaking to you about?
How will you put that into practice in your life this week?
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