Thursday, January
Rhapsody of Realities TeeVo,
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome,
PASS THE LOVE-TEST
(God Leads His Children In Love)
TO THE BIBLE John 13:35
“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
LET’S TALK
Walking in love is a primary way to tell that a Christian is being led by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit only leads us in love. He’ll never lead you in such a way as to hate anyone, be proud, arrogant or express unrestrained anger. In walking with the Lord, one of the things He seeks to accomplish in your life is to have His love fully expressed through you, such that you’re patient, meek, kind and not easily provoked. James 1:19 says, “…Everyone must be quick to listen, but slow to speak and slow to become angry” (GNB).
People with uncontrolled temper do foolish things, which is why the Bible says, “Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools” (Ecclesiastes 7:9). Decide that there’ll never be anybody anywhere that you’ll begrudge, dislike, or be bitter against. It doesn’t matter the extent of hatred you experience from others, you’re only permitted to love them. That’s the life of a true Christian.
Always, the Holy Spirit inspires us to love, because you never lose when you walk in love. Your actions and inactions must pass the love-test. The Bible tells us that it’s better for you to suffer the pain; you should rather put up with injustice and be cheated than avenge the evil done to you (1 Corinthians 6:7). Consider Jesus: as they nailed Him to the cross and cursed Him, He looked up to heaven and said, “…Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do…” (Luke 23:34). That’s real love!
Let love be your guide. Walk in love, as Christ also has loved you, and given Himself for you as an offering and a sacrifice to God (Ephesians 5:2). Yield yourself to the Holy Spirit to lead you in love (Romans 8:14). It should be your utmost desire to experience the guidance and leading of the Holy Spirit at all times; it’ll make your life excellent and full of glory. And walking in love makes this easy.
Go Deeper
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 AMPC
1 If I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such [a]as is inspired by God’s love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 And if I have prophetic powers (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God’s love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody).
3 Even if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I surrender my body to be burned or in order that I may glory, but have not love (God’s love in me), I gain nothing.
Speak
I’m born to love; therefore, I express the love and compassion of Christ through my words and actions. Thank you, righteous Father, for the rich deposit of your love in my heart. Everyone I come in contact with will experience your unconditional love through me, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading
ONE YEAR
Matthew 12:22-50, Genesis 40-41
TWO YEAR
Acts 10:1-8, Job 5-6
Act
Look out for two or three persons around you and say to them “I love you” with a kind smile.