Love, Refreshed!

Love, Refreshed!

We love, because He first loved us. 1 JOHN 4:19 AMP

This may be one of the shortest verses in the Bible, but there is no doubt about its power, message and destination. The Word of God always speaks, and it is fit for any purpose you wish to apply it to. One of the greatest testimonies about the Word of God is given in the Bible itself and it goes like this: For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

We look at today's extract and it is important to build on the right foundation. First, who am I and how did I get here? I can only move in the right direction and stay focused when I am sure where I am from and where I am headed. I know without any doubt that I stand where I am, not because I am the best of people, but because I have received grace in its appropriate measure. I stand where I am, not because I am the best of people, but because God saw it fit to draw me to himself.

On that foundation of grace is my life's pursuits and priorities set. Because I know who I am, I have no doubt as to what I am to pursue. Because I know what I have received, I have no problem giving it all back. Because I know I earned nothing by works, I do not have to hold tightly to anything. When I did not even care about who God is, he loved me. When I couldn't care less that He gave his life for me, he did it all the same, and continues to hold out his hands, waiting for me to respond to his love.

So, I love, not because it is first a duty, but an outflow of what I have received from God. Even though I am commanded to love, I see it, not as a duty, but as an expression of gratitude to God for all He has done. He first did it, then asks me to do the same. If it was impossible, He would have made it clear and would not have places such a demand on me. However, he has laid the perfect example, and because his grace is available, the power to obey has also been released. I do not pretend I have it all figured out; even when I make mistakes, I just hold on to the grace already released and press on.

It is not about the other person's reaction to what I do that matters; it is about my obedience to what God commands. I simply obey and trust God to work out what he sees as best. If it is his Word, I can rest assured that He will bring it to pass. His time of favour is here.