Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – September 1, 2020
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
Over 20 years ago when my great uncle Frank was in his eighties, he resided in an assisted living facility not far from my home. Each morning when I woke to pray, he was heavy on my heart. I sensed the Lord prompting me to visit my uncle and tell him about God’s love. I was certain he had heard about Christ many times during his life, but I also knew he believed more in mystical things than in Jesus, and he trusted more in angels than in God. I wasn’t sure if he knew the Lord.
Each morning for weeks I sensed a growing urgency to talk with my uncle. But I honestly didn’t want to go. I didn’t know him well, and I hadn’t ever spoken with him about serious things. I felt it would be very uncomfortable. One morning I conceded, walked out the front door, and drove to see Frank. The minute I got in my car, the burden I had felt for weeks left me. It was like a pressure lifted from my shoulders. I had no doubt I was in God’s will and walking in His way of love.
When I sat to talk with my uncle, I felt awkward. I definitely wasn’t eloquent in sharing about Jesus. I simply invited him to trust Christ and told him that angels could not save him. I bought him a Bible and a short time later I moved out of town. My mother said he read it some and then passed away a few months later.
I felt woefully inadequate in sharing but I tried to be obedient to God’s call in this small thing that felt difficult and uncomfortable. I wanted Frank to know that God loved him. And when I followed this little prompting of love, I experienced big peace.
Sometimes Love calls or prompts us to do the difficult, the uncomfortable, or the inconvenient. Sometimes Love asks us to go the extra mile, speak the extra words, give the extra gift, share God’s love with someone, or say yes when you would rather say no.
Within the nature of Love is sacrifice. And, Jesus was our example of sacrifice when Christ died on the cross for our sins.
“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers” (1 John 3:16).
Just as it was for Christ, it’s the same for us . . . we can experience joy knowing we loved well (Hebrews 12:2). We also experience peace knowing we chose God’s way (Psalm 119:165) and fullness knowing we focused on others rather than just on ourselves.
One of the greatest examples in the Bible of loving well, even though it was extremely inconvenient and difficult, was Paul. He completed three missionary journeys, experienced perilous times and ended up in prison in Rome. Why? Because Christ’s love compelled him (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).
It’s important to remember that we can do the difficult and inconvenient works of Love, not because we are able, but because He is able. He empowers us to do His will (Ephesians 2:10). So when he calls, we can say yes out of a heart of love for others and a heart of love for our Savior.
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1).
Prayer
Lord, sometimes it can be difficult to show your love. But you are my example and through your power, I can love the way you have called me to. Help me not to be selfish and self-focused, but help me to focus on pleasing you. Amen.
Application
Is the Lord prompting you to reach out to someone and share His love today? Follow that prompting and tell someone about Jesus.
Related Reading
Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:7-8; John 13:34-35
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