ICS Daily Devotions
Fulfilling The Purpose Of Love
John 13:35 (NKJV) By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
Galatians 6:9-10 (NKJV) And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
The mark of Jesus’ disciples is our love for one another. It is never easy to love others when we have operated in phileo love, especially if we have been practicing it for decades. It will take us some time to renew our mind regarding our ability to love through God.
We are to live out the new-found life through Him because we are a new creation. God has taken out the heart of stone and given us a heart of flesh. He has also placed the Holy Spirit in us to enable us to love. The love of God that flows out of the new creation is sincere, pure, growing and affirming. When the love of God resides in our heart, then there is a tendency for Him to compel us to journey with our fellow brothers and sisters.
Whenever the opportunity arises, we should do good to the family of believers in our midst and spur one another on towards love and good deeds. It is taking the opportunity to do good to the people of the household of faith.
Matt 25: 35-40 (NKJV) For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
We are called to love and serve our brothers and neighbors. Jesus gave us the ultimate example how to walk and serve in love. Sometimes we need to stretch ourselves. For example, there will be those who are straying away from the Lord and will need someone to reach out to them. It will take out our time and force us to move out of our comfort zone to invite them out for a meal and care for them. People are more open when they get to know you better. It will really be an encouragement to them when they know that you are driven by a genuine care and concern for their family.
We might have a tendency to be discouraged or lose heart when we do not see immediate results when we do good to fellow believers. But do remember that the church is the called-out ones, a congregation of believers who are committed to one another and to God. When we practice the koinonia fellowship, we will be a powerful force in the purpose of God. This is the kind of church that we should be building. A church where we love and care for each other in action and in prayer.
Sermon series: Our Church experiencing God Together (CG campaign 1)
