“Out of the overflow of your relationship with perfect love, seek to be perfect. Love empowered living is the essence of living in Christ!”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – October 26, 2022
Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him. Mark 10:21
The face has the clearest and loudest expressions of emotion. A twisted face says, “I am confused.” A solemn face says, “I am sad.” A frowning face says, “I am mad.” A distant face says, “I am distracted.” A warm face says, “I am interested in you.” A smiling face says, “I am joyful.” A tender face says, “I care, I love you.” Facial expressions are easily exposed for the vulnerable of heart. Those who seek to love well, are not prone to pretend to be someone they’re not. What you see is what you get. A loving face invites others in. When your face reflects your true self of being loved well and loving well, others who see your face feel loved by you. A look of love overlooks offenses and disappointments.
Oswald Chambers offers inspiring insight into Jesus’ interaction with the rich young ruler. “Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him…” This look of Jesus will require breaking your heart away forever from allegiance to any other person or thing. Has Jesus ever looked in this way at you? This look of Jesus transforms, penetrates, and captivates. Where you are soft and pliable with God is where the Lord has looked at you. If you are hard and vindictive, insistent on having your own way, and always certain that the other person is more likely to be in the wrong than you are, then there are whole areas of your nature that have never been transformed by His gaze. “One thing you lack….” From Jesus Christ’s perspective, oneness with Him, with nothing in between, is the only good thing.” Indeed, Jesus’ look of love is a call to oneness with Him in His love!
“Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love” (Psalm 31:16).
As a servant of your Master, the Lord Jesus Christ, look up often to the shining face of your Savior. Like the warm, life-giving heat of an unobstructed sun, beaming down on your face on a crisp fall day. Gladly and gratefully bask in the life-giving warmth, as you gaze into the face of unfailing love. Remind yourself, as you look into the mirror of your soul…to first reflect on your beloved-ness, before you are quick to beat yourself up. Out of the overflow of your relationship with perfect love, seek to be perfect. Love empowered living is the essence of living in Christ!
And when imperfection interrupts, quickly look to perfect love for mercy, grace and forgiveness. Disappointment or disapproval will stare you down from other downcast souls—and when this happens, look above their stern stare and see the face of patient love. A human face can bring harm to the heart, but the face of your loving heavenly Father brings healing to your hurt heart. Your high moral achievement is not God’s heart for you, loving obedience is His heart. Unlike the rich young ruler, see the loving face of Jesus as a second change…and surrender all in love!
“Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love” (2 John 1:3).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, by faith I look into your face and see your compassionate love, lead me to let go of any competing loves with your love, through Christ’s love and in Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
What am I holding on to that the Lord is asking me to let go of and trust Him with the outcomes?
Related Reading
Numbers 6:25; Psalm 80:19, 119:135; Song of Songs 2:14; 2 Corinthians 3:18, 4:6
Worship Resource
Jesus Image: Show Me Your Face
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