Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – August 3, 2015
Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God… Whoever loves God must also love his brother. 1 John 4:7, 21
As a teenager I loved hunting and fishing. I saved money from mowing lawns and bought a new Zebco reel. My uncle gave me permission to fish in his pond and offered me advice on what bait to use and the best time of day to “wet a hook”. I became a student of fishing because I loved to fish. My simple hobby kept me out of trouble, but it also competed with other activities like chores, friendships, sports and school. I became most like what I most loved.
Scripture teaches us to love God supremely above any other affections. Jesus knows if we love Him the most, we will love others the best. So how do we love Christ above ourselves and all other desires? First we go to the author of love—God—to be fully loved by Him. Our love input determines our love output. The more we receive from above the more we can give below. We obey Christ’s commands and we love others like God loves them—unconditionally and sacrificially.
“But if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us” (1 John 4:12).
Who or what captures your wholehearted love and devotion? If your love of work trumps all other loves you will be defined solely by occupational fulfillment. When your vocational lover deserts you, you will spiral into insecurity and insignificance. If however, you do your work as unto the Lord—God is your job motivation. You seek to give, not take. You aspire to excellent work—not excessive income. To love God is your vocation and your job its tangible expression.
Therefore, we love well when we seek to praise God over seeking the praise of people. Our affections are properly ordered as we submit to the Lord’s orders over man’s disordered desires. Our soul is secure when we love the light of Christ over the dark deeds of sin. Our mind is enlightened by the Spirit’s illumination from our love of truth over the illusion of Satan’s lies. We are what we love, so wisdom loves what God loves. Lovers of God’s loves become like Him.
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way love is made complete” (1 John 4:16-17).
What affections of mine need to be reordered toward God? Who needs my sacrificial love?
Related Readings: Psalm 119:88, 167; John 14:15; Colossians 3:1-4
Post/Tweet this today: We are what we love, so wisdom loves what God loves. #lovewell #wisdomhunters
Additional Resource: 12 minute music video- Worship Mob: Love Outran Me
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