21-Day Growth Challenge | Day Two: "Love God"
Key Verses:Matthew 22:35 (NIV) One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37 Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Ephesians 3:17 (NKJV) "…That you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."
Insight
Loving God is our greatest pursuit in life. Loving people follows close behind. A Pharisee tried to test Jesus' knowledge of the Law of Moses by asking,"which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus' answer permanently moved the focus of faith from religion to relationship with God. Our love relationship motivates us to live right as well as fulfill the spirit of the Law (such as "honor mother and father" or "do not covet").
The love of God is not something we produce, It is something we possess because of Jesus living in us. This love extends grace to all people, in all conditions, at all times. It is this love that allowed Jesus to suffer and die for humanity. It is this same love that allows us to serve humanity.
The love of God in us is supernatural. When we are "rooted and grounded" in love, we will, as a body of Christ, manifest God's full dimensions to people around us (His width and length and depth and height).
When we, the body of Christ, are "filled with all the fullness of God," we'll experience revival, renewal, restoration in every area, and reap harvests of souls!
Example:
In John 21;16-18 Jesus asked Peter two times, "Do you love me?" The third time Jesus asked, Peter felt hurt. Why? Peter was trying to love in his own strength and preference. Peter needed the "God kind of Love" which could not be produced, only possessed.Prayer
In your prayer today, thank God for a love that cannot be produced, only possessed. Ask Him to empower you to love with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.
Day Two | Exercise
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