Yesterday we learned about the remarkable characteristics of God’s love from 1 Corinthians Chapter 13. I have gone back and read and reread the last devotional just to let the knowledge of the sheer magnitude of God’s multifaceted love work its way deep into my heart. I’m not sure that I can comprehend it—ever—but I strongly desire to know all that I can about this remarkable love. Don’t you? Amidst the trouble, turmoil, and painful hardship of this life’s journey, I am asking myself,
“Is it REALLY possible for me to have this remarkable love sustainably flowing through me?”
Are we, with all our own problems and neediness, even capable of loving the way the Bible describes love in first Corinthians 13? Well, the answer, according to the Bible, is “Absolutely!” In fact, to love like God is a COMMAND given to us by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ:
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:34-35 NKJV
When Jesus commanded us to love each other the way He loves us, I believe He was serious. He lived the ultimate purpose driven-life. His goal was love…in living and dying for the purchase of our salvation. His purpose was proven by His love. He gives us the opportunity to live gloriously by making our life proof of our redemption! Also, consider this: Jesus would have never commanded us to do something that we are incapable of doing.
So why don’t we see more Christians full of the love described in 1 Corinthians 13?
Well, most of us are trying to love without God. To love like God requires full daily surrender to Him. My friend, we are NOT capable of loving like He does—without Him. The only way it is possible for us to love as described in 1 Corinthians 13 is if God’s presence is flowing through us. We can’t give away what we don’t have. We cannot manufacture this highest form of love by our own efforts. God’s love is impossible without the experience of God’s presence.
How do we experience God’s presence and thus, His love?
God’s presence begins when we receive His gift of salvation, and it grows as we live in heart-obedience to him. Indeed, Jesus said:
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
John 14:15 NKJV
“He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
John 14:21 NKJV
But to have God’s love—we must obey Him out of love—not obligation. Love makes us powerful; obligation makes us bitter and cold. Our love from God springs from having a thankful heart. We must learn to live in the realization that every gift, every breath, every wonderful moment of life—are all goodness from God. Gratefulness may be one of the most important catalysts for creating heart-based obedience. Thankfulness awakens our soul to the humbling realization of just how much God loves us.
Heart-based obedience draws us into God’s presence.
As we begin to absorb the magnificent, multifaceted, love of God that we are experiencing in His presence, we KNOW that it is the best love we’ve ever had. We never want to lose it. As God fills us with His love, we can’t keep it to ourselves.
God’s love by its very nature cannot be withheld; otherwise it is not God’s love—it is merely self-love.
My friend, if you want to experience the receiving and the giving of the most remarkable love; a love—that endures, is kind and patient, is not envious, confers goodness without expectation, is not arrogant or rude, is not self-seeking or easily offended, does not keep score, does not presume bad motives, believes and hopes in goodness, and never fails—it is just waiting to be poured through you. But to have it—you must have God. When we are born again AND living in full heart-obedience to God—we can’t help but to have it.
Living in God’s presence WILL produce His love in us and through us…love is the proof that we know God.
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 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.”
1 John 4:7-8, 12 NKJV
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.
To learn more about Kimberly Faith and the mission of Faith Strong, click HERE.
Out Now – Essential Faith, Volume II. Find it on Amazon by clicking HERE.
To learn more about Kimberly Faith’s ministry Fostering By Faith, click HERE.
3 Responses
Great devotional as always.
wonderful God is Love your right because without his Love we wouldn’t know how to Love each other because he first Loved us that’s why we Love each other may God continue to give you wisdom to keep writing
Amen! Praying for His strength and wisdom! Blessings.