Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – October 27, 2014
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:12-13
Love is the primary consequence of our communion with Christ. He loves us, so we are compelled to love others–especially friends in faith. Our love moves beyond mere words when in works itself out in our relationships. It’s the little things like taking a child on a walk before or after dinner so our spouse can enjoy some space. Love prays for opportunities to plug a person’s unexpected financial hole or defend a friend from unfair criticism. Love looks to love.
Selfishness may be our biggest obstacle to sacrificial love. We tend to give others the leftovers of our love rather than the fresh bread of God’s blessings. But sacrificial love bears the beautiful fruit of selflessness. Admirably, compassionate moms consistently give to their children before they give to themselves. They eat after they feed their little one. They sleep after their child wakes them in the middle of the night. They dress after they find a matching outfit for their daughter or shoes for their son. A mom in communion with Christ is compelled to love her child.
“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma” (Ephesians 5:1-2 NKJV).
Jesus modeled the way by laying down His life to save lives. It is His humble act of surrender to His heavenly Father that inspires us to surrender to our Savior. We give up our will and give in to God’s will. We win the war against our flesh when we wave a white flag of surrender to the Lord and take our pride prisoner. Submission to God empowers followers of God. Under His authority, we enjoy His favor. We trust He is at work–even when we disagree with humans who have authority over us. The Spirit can work through those with contrary, even unholy agendas.
How do you grow your communion with Christ? How is your love becoming better? Our brokenness is evidence of our unbroken affinity with Almighty God. When our heart breaks for what breaks His heart our love escalates to a higher level. Thus, we are strangely moved to confront injustice with the love of God. We invite foster children into our homes, we give shelter and food to strangers and we give grace to graceless agitators. He gives us life, so through us He can give life to those who lack intimacy with Jesus. Communion with Christ has life giving consequences!
“For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body” (2 Corinthians 4:11).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I want to cultivate my communion with Christ, so I can give Your life to others.
Related Readings: Joshua 4:24; Psalm 139:23; John 5:21; 1 Corinthians 2:2; Ephesians 1:17
Post/Tweet today: We win the war with our flesh, when by faith, we wave the white flag over wanting our way. #wisdomhunters
Additional Resource: Intimacy with God, 10 minute video, Heidi Baker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_yraEYZQMw
Order our new book, The Way of Wisdom: A Journey Towards Spiritual Growth, just out October 1st! Boyd’s one minute book video- http://bit.ly/1nhZ2bt
