Tag: love

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Romans: Week 5- Day 4- Romans 5:6-8

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.  (7)  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.  (8)  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Rom 5:6-8

Explanation:

On our own we have no capacity to be right with God.  We can’t keep the law.  By being guilty in one point, we are guilty in all.  The reality is that we are all guilty in many points, and so we are without moral or spiritual strength.

It is when we found ourselves in this condition that Christ died for us.  Think about how incredible this reality is!

It is rare for a person to die for someone else.  It is even rare for someone to “dare to die”- pledge their death, or say that they would die- for someone else.  If I were to ask most people who they would die for, I would imagine the list would be short, and anyone that would be on the list would be people that were loved.

But this is not how God’s love is.  God showed us his love in a tangible way.  God demonstrated His love by Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross when we were unlovely.  He died for us when we were sinners, unworthy of his love, and as we’ll see later, worthy of His wrath.

Our salvation is sure, because, being justified, we’ve been given peace, access, grace, hope, and love.

Application:

Our salvation is sure.  It is a promise from God.  He says that when we repent and trust, He justifies.  He declares us righteous.  This means I can be sure of my salvation.  I can live a life with the assurance of the love of God.  I can live a life that is holy not because I’m trying to earn or keep my salvation, but rather to honor and worship the One who gave me salvation.  He sends His Spirit into my life having transformed me from the inside out.

Response:

If you haven’t realized the love of God for you, know that Christ loved you so much that He died for you.  Respond today by calling on the name of the Lord to save you.

If you know Christ as Savior, tell someone about God’s love and sacrifice for them.

deuteronomy

Week 10: Day 2- Deuteronomy 6:4-5

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: 5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Deuteronomy 6:4-5

Explanation:

We learn two very important doctrines from this particular verse.

First we learn that there is only one God. There are not multiple gods. There is only one God. He is the supreme Creator and Ruler of Heaven and Earth. We know that He exists as One God in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is not just a New Testament teaching. The foundation for this truth is found in the Old Testament as all three persons of the Godhead are seen in the Old Testament.

Secondly, we learn that we ought to love God. One implication of this command is that God has given to us, His creation, the freedom of will to decide to love Him or not to love Him. He has given us so much. He created us. He sustains us. He created life and breath and all that is in the earth for His glory and for our good. We know that He also has not kept His Son back from us, but gave His one and only Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. This God commands that we love Him, and gives us the choice to obey or not.

This passage is called the Shema by the the jews. Shema means “listen”, and was often quoted by them. Jesus said that this command was greatest commandment in Matthew 22:37-38.

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.38 This is the first and great commandment.

Matthew 22:37-18

Application:

We ought to know God as He is, as He has revealed Himself. There are not multiple Gods. Yet in many peoples lives, including my own at times, there are competing gods vying for my worship and allegiance. For the children of Israel pagan idol worship and all that came with it might have been their temptation. For us it may be entertainment, work, hobbies, sex, possessions. On and on the list can go. Anything we set our hearts desires on can take the place that only God deserves in our lives. There is only one God.

We ought to love God for who He is, and for what He has done for us. It’s the most important thing in life, to worship and love the True and Living God. It’s a choice that we can make. It’s a choice that we must make. How should we love Him? With all our heart, soul, and might! The only way that can happen is by first a regeneration of my heart. I must be saved. Then after I am saved, I am indwelled by the Spirit who then fills me, and empowers me to love God like that.

Response:

  1. If you could take a temperature of your love for God, what would it read? How are you demonstrating your love for Him? Are you spending time with Him?
  2. Do you have anything or anyone in your life that is taking the place of God?

Love is Intentional

On By Ben JenningsIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

I have learned over the last couple of years the power of intentionality. Intentionality trumps passivity every single time. I think this is true with the way that we love. God calls us to intentionally love the people in our lives.

When you see the way that our pop media portrays love you could think that love is something that happens to you. But the Bible tells me that love is a choice. It is an act of the will that I must make hundreds of times every day.

Lord, today, please help me to love others like You love me.