January 10

Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God. 1 Peter 1:22,23.

We obey because of our faith placed in Jesus. The result is a purified heart—one of the blessings listed in the Sermon on the Mount. That heart is miraculously equipped to love—not just brotherly love but with the agape love of God. We find it strange to think of love coming from the heart. We tend to think of the heart as a pump. But in God’s order of things it is the center of our emotions and the residence of the Holy Spirit. Truly it is an imperishable creation of God.

We know we are born again to a new way of loving our brethren. If we would only give our hearts a chance, for the circumstances that surround us often seem to crowd out any chance for expressing love. I have learned that always to attempt to be right is not always the way to love. Some of my worst moments are just after I have tried to be ‘right’. Instead I am to honor the other person by listening to them and respecting their opinions, even though they may conflict with my own. By being a loving servant I can show a glimpse of Christ in the relationship. Christ, given a chance, will always bring life to any situation.

Today, Father, I thank You for fashioning me in a new way that is equipped to show love. I want to claim that new heart today and live by it. Oh I know there will be too many opportunities for me to act like another fool that follows the world, but even in those situations You will be there to give me pause and to allow me to reflect upon Your ways. Let Your love so penetrate and permeate my heart that I can love in an ‘all out’, exciting way. Together we can change the world. Thank You in the name of Jesus, Am
                                        Back