EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!
MONDAY AUGUST 3, 2020.
SUBJECT : DRAWING CLOSER TO GOD!
Memory verse: “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love."(First John 4 vs 8.)
READ: First John 4 vs 12 - 16:
4:12: No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.
4:13: By this we know we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us His Spirit.
4:14: And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world.
4:15: Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
4:16: And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
Drawing closer to God is the best of life for any believer. And it is in doing so that God draws closer to us! (James 4 vs 8.) God is invisible, and a Spirit. How then do we draw closer or nearer to Him, and develop intimate relationship with Him? We only draw closer to Him if we love one another—the ones we can see. When we abide in love with one another we abide in God. Therefore, in leading a life of intimacy with God, love is what matters most. God is love, and to know God is to know how to love. The Bible, in First John 4 vs 7 - 8, says "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”
Because God is love, the most important lesson He wants you to learn on earth is how to love. It is in loving that we are most like Him, so love is the foundation of every command He has given us. The Owner and Giver of life is God. God is love. And the best use of anything is in the hands of the producer, and owner. God is the Producer and Owner of life, and God is Love, therefore, the best use of life is in God—inLove.The Bible, in Galatians 5 vs 14, says, "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "you shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Therefore, in drawing closer to God, love should be your top priority, primary objective, and greatest ambition. Love should, and is not, a good part of your life; it's the most important part of your life. The Scripture in First Corinthians 14 vs 1, says, "Pursue love, ...." To "pursue" means to "chase after," "strive for," "to work hard at," "persist in." It is not enough to say, "One of the things I want in my life is to be loving," as if it's in your top ten list. Relationships must have priority in your life above everything else.
Learning to love unselfishly is not an easy task. It runs counter to our self-centered nature. That's why we are given a lifetime to learn it. Of course, God wants us to love everyone, but He is particularly concerned that we learn to love others in His family. The apostle Peter, in First Peter 2 vs 17, tells us, "Love the brotherhood." He says we should show special love for God's people, that is 'other believers in Christ.' The apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in Galatians 6 vs 10 that says, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of God."
Love is much more than simply warm feelings. It is an attitude that reveals itself in action. How can we love others as Jesus loved us? By helping when it is not convenient, by giving when it hurts, by devoting energy to others' welfare rather than our own, by absorbing hurts from others without complaining or fighting back. This kind of loving is hard to do. That is why people notice when you do it and know you are empowered by a supernatural source. You have to be around people - imperfect, frustrating, irritating people to learn how to love in action, and as Jesus loved.
In heaven we will enjoy God's family forever, but first we have some tough work to do here on earth to prepare ourselves for an eternity of loving. When we are not motivated by love we become critical of others. We stop looking for good in them and see only their faults. Have you talked behind someone's back? Have you focused on others' shortcomings instead of their strengths? When you begin to feel critical of someone, make a list of that person's positive qualities. If there are problems that need to be addressed, it is better to confront in love than in hate or to gossip.
Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of love for You and others, that I will draw closer to You, and You to me, and have the best of life, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.
PRAISE THE LORD!
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