Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 156 – 1 John 3:16-18 – What Love Is – Growing As Disciples
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:16-18 (NIV)
Love Others
I have not always loved others with my actions. I have not always had my eyes and ears open to see and hear the opportunities that are before me to love others with my actions. I’m sure that I have walked right on by opportunities to love others with my actions. Forgive me. You are forgiven. What is it that you want? I want to follow your example. I want to love like you loved. I want to do what you did. What did I do? You humbled yourself. You took on the form of a servant. You loved others with your thoughts, words and actions. You laid down your life for others. Yes, that is what I did for others. That is what I did for you. For that, I am thankful beyond what my words could possibly express. That is good.
How will you love others with your actions? I’m not sure. How will you lead me to love others with my actions? You have answered my question with your question. How so? You tell me. I will follow you to where you lead me. I will do whatever you ask of me. I will keep my heart and mind and life attentive to you. I will open my eyes and ears to see and hear the opportunities to love others that you have placed before me. I will not walk right on by the opportunities you give me to love others with my actions. That will be very good.
How will you benefit by loving others with your actions? I have not thought of that. Think about that question now. I will have great joy in following your example. I will rejoice that I have been used by you to help draw others to you. I will have great peace in knowing that you have used me to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. I will have satisfaction in knowing that I have been able to shine brightly as your witness in the darkness of the world around me. I will be grateful that you have made me able to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. In addition to all this, I will be thankful that you have allowed me to store up treasure in heaven with you as I love, follow and serve you. That is very good. Thank you, Lord.
Lord, I will not love others only with my words. I will follow your example. I will lay down my life for others. I will do for others what you have done for me. I will love others with my actions. Give me opportunities to demonstrate your love to others in the world. Amen
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