Look to Things Above

Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels.com

Since you received God’s amazing love, set your minds on things above, not on earthy things. Get rid of your anger, rage, malice, slander and bad language. Do not lie to each other. Don’t live in sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed. You used to do these things, but now as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, be compassionate, kind, humble, gentle and patient. Bear each other’s problems. Forgive each other as Christ forgave you. And love each other because love unites all these together in perfect harmony (my paraphrase of Colossians 3).

THINK ABOUT IT

Living for God and not ourselves is very different for new believers, but God has put His guidelines in His word, the Bible. He wants us to shine as beacons of His light in this dark world so we will lead others to experience God’s love, which will give them peace over their anxiety, hope in place of discouragement and lives of purpose in place of confusion or frustration.

PRAY ABOUT IT

Heavenly Father, be in us today to overcome the world–to love and serve others. Empower us with your love and a love of your word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Unconditional Love

Do you believe Valentine’s Day was created by the greeting card companies to assure that at least once a year we remember to love each other? History records several St.Valentines, but I like the legend about a priest who conducted secret weddings in the third century. While he was imprisoned, he healed his captor’s blind daughter, and everyone in the family became Christians. Love is contagious like that. It is no good unless we give it away.

The love chapter in the Bible is often read at weddings and gives a picture of unconditional love. “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. . And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8, 13).

Love is patient and forgiving. The people we love need to know that if they goof up, you still love them. They should never fear that they have gone out of the boundaries of your love. This is how God’s love is, and it is the only way our friends and family will know and accept God’s love–if someone demonstrates unconditional love.

THINK ABOUT IT

If I love someone unconditionally, does that mean I have to love what they do? I don’t think so. God’s love changed the sinner. He loved the sinner in me before I loved Him, but He did not love my sin. It is impossible for any of us to live perfect lives. Only Jesus could do that, and because of His sacrifice on the cross, He provided forgiveness. What amazing love! The payment for sin is death, but Jesus died in my place so I wouldn’t have to. In addition to that, He gave me eternal life with God the Father and the Holy Spirit and Himself. Since He loved us this way, we ought to love each other.

PRAY ABOUT IT

Heavenly Father, thank you for Jesus, your only Son, who you gave for the forgiveness of my sins. Thank you for loving me that much. Help me love others as you love me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.