Your Daily Devotional for September 14, 2007

 

September 14,  2007

 

 

Love Displayed

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

"And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."

 

Matthew 5:41-44

 

 

Richard C. Halverson, former chaplain for the US Senate, once said, "There is nothing you can do to make God love you more! There is nothing you can do to make God love you less! His love is unconditional, impartial, everlasting, infinite, and perfect!"

 

Over the last few days we have seen what true biblical love is and what it is not. As we conclude our look at biblical love, we will see how we can show our love to others. If we are not acting out our love for others, we are not displaying true biblical love.

 

First, our love is displayed through the giving of our time. I once heard the quote, "Christians should be God's love with skin on!" More than likely, we have all been taught that we are to spend time helping others. But how real is that concept in our lives? How often do we display our love by seeking to meet someone else's needs above our own?

 

We all have burdens and trials, yet God desires that we would seek to meet the needs of others. He gave us a perfect example on the Cross. As our Lord was dying, He took time to care for His mother as we see in John 19:26-27, "When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home." Even as He was dying, Christ took time to care for His grieving mother! We must take our focus off our own problems and give our time to those around us.

 

Second, we must show our love to others by giving them forgiveness. With a world that screams for revenge and retribution, God tells us to love and forgive. We will all be wronged, but we must respond correctly with love and forgiveness. First John 4:20-21 says, "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also." We cannot say we are showing love to others if we are harboring ill feelings toward someone.

 

Once again, we can see a perfect example of forgiveness in the earthly ministry of Christ. Our Lord was wronged, yet He said in Luke 23:34, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." We must show God's love by forgiving those who have wronged us.

 

Last, our love is displayed when we give others the Gospel. First John 4:17 says, "Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." We must have boldness in telling others of God's gift of eternal life. God wants us to show our love by telling others of His love for them.

 

How are you displaying your love for others? God desires that we would give our time, our forgiveness, and His Good News to those around us. Spend time with God now and ask Him to help you display your love to those around you today.

 

 

Daily Bible Reading

Proverbs 19-21 • 2 Corinthians 7

 

 

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