I opened to Roman’s this morning and stopped at 5:5 [b]… “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
Think about this: His love is in you!
His love, which reflects His very nature and character, has been poured into you through the Holy Spirit. Not just for you but to pour out that same measure of love to those around you. Freely you have received, freely give.
Now consider what this love looks like because love isn’t a feeling like the culture of our world defines. True love is the nature of God, defined by Him — Creator of all.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
This love — these characteristics —are already in us.
But let’s be real — so many believers are impatient, unkind, cutting people out, self-seeking, emotionally reactive, even dishonoring their brothers and sisters, justifying their behavior, blaming others, believing it’s “normal” and well deserved, calling it “preserving our peace” with no sign of His love that should be present.
Yikes!
If His love is already in us, what’s blocking the body of Christ from looking like love to everyone we meet?
Why is this love that’s already in our hearts not changing us into vessels of the Holy Spirit that empowers us to look like our Father in Heaven?
The answer is very simple — we don’t really know Him. We might know about Him. We might know of Him, but to REALLY know Him, is to love like Him.
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” -1 John 4:7-8
Father, I pray that we come into a greater depth and understanding of Your love — that we know You deeply and personally and that the very nature of who You are is rooted deep into our hearts until what comes out of us looks like You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.
