We were created for perfect love. But there is only one place we find perfect love and that is in the heart of God, WHO IS love. Until we are born again, our spirit and soul are spiritually dead and thus, we are enslaved by satan, who is the ENEMY of God [and thus, the enemy of love]. Even after our soul and spirit are made spiritually alive by receiving the gift of salvation, we can be lured away by our three enemies and drift so far from His presence that we soon find we are making our abode with the enemy of love.
What do I mean by this?
Well, even after the salvation of our soul, our body is still not regenerated and it—desires to sin. SIN is a crime against God’s love. And even after our soul and spirit are made sinless “in Christ”—we [the carnal and fleshly part of us] is still engaged in a battle to live in obedience. But—to win this battle, it is critical that we absolutely KNOW that we belong to Christ! What is the proof we have been reconciled?
“He who does NOT LOVE does NOT KNOW GOD, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
(I John 4:8-10)
When we accept Jesus as our Savior, our Spirit is made alive and we become equipped with the ability to love our Heavenly Father and love as Jesus did. But—to experience His love flowing through us, we must endeavor to live in love for Him. What is the proof of our love for HIM? Jesus said:
“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.”
John 15:10
Jesus demonstrated how to love God by how He obeyed the will of His Father; we demonstrate our love to God by our obedience to His commandments. Keep in mind, it is obedience from a heart that desires intimacy with God. It’s about the relationship not about a bunch of joyless church work or sourpuss religious rituals. It’s not a temporary “spiritual” or emotional high. REAL Love is selfless and steady. When we surrender our whole life to God, the Bible says He “quiets us by His love.” (Zephaniah 3:17)
Ah, when we develop a deep relationship with God, we see how He loves us with the wildest abandon.
God took incalculable risks to demonstrate His love by sacrificing His Son to give us eternal life and an intimate relationship with our Creator. He knew all the while that many would reject His love. Do we know anyone who has risked everything to love us? Do we know anyone who would love us WHEN they knew every future crime we would commit against their love? Ah, God knew before the foundation of the world that even His own children would often live in disobedience and drift into the arms of the enemy. He loved us anyway. He still does.
If you are one of God’s children because you have been born again, but you are living in disobedience to His Word, KNOW this: You have chosen to sleep with the enemy of your greatest love. Believe me, I’m ashamed to say that I was there for YEARS of my Christian life. But the shame is the least of my regrets. My greatest regret is missing years and years of walking in the greatest love-experience with God. My friend, your enemies do not love you. They hate you and are constantly luring you away by telling you God is not good. Don’t miss another moment of the experience of God’s love! Surrender 100% of all you have, all you are, and all you love—to God!!!
When we surrender to God, He surrounds us, captivates us, and fills us to overflowing with His love.
We would love to hear your thoughts about this devotional. Did God speak to you or challenge your daily walk with him? Or is there a topic that you would like Kimberly to cover or expound on? Please share with us in the comments below.
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12 Responses
I am a Christian but, I’m not sure how to submit 100%. I want to be totally devoted but there is sin in my life and I know I don’t put Jesus first. I’m not sure I know how
The Bible gives us some basics for beginning our walk with God after we’re born again. Join a church that preaches the Gospel, get baptized, become active in the church, pray, read the Bible and spend time with God!
Jesus says, “Ask, & it will be given to you.” It isn’t hard. Ask Him to take away your fear of surrendering fully to God’s Will, His Will may be different than yours. That’s what can make it scary. And realize, it won’t happen overnight. Let The Lord guide you. Let Him show you how. He will.
All I know is I’m changing on the inside and I realize the only place I wanna be is with God!!
Amen!!!
Don’t ever underestimate the power of God’s love.
Absolutely!
We go through Trials and Tribulations Everyday, We’re tested on how much we love God and how much we are willing to follow Him, But we have a loving God who is patient and waits for us to return to Him….AMEN.
Yes He does!!!
thank you for the words of encouragement. I pray for our lord to renew my mind.bless you have a blessed day.
Thank you for your comments and prayers!
My 20 yr old died tragically in a car accident, I’m not sure if she accepted Jesus as her lord and savior I worry about my daughter and what does God say about that?