Word of the Week - Love (Christmas Message)
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” - John 13:34-35
As I was reflecting this past week during my year-end solo and this morning during my abiding time with the Lord, I realized that I have been in a place of frustration that is hindering my ability to Love others well, especially those closest to me. As I was praying to understand the root of my discontentment, I realized it is mostly rooted in my desire to perform and achieve. As a type-A kingdom leader, I feel compelled to grow and be stretched and to encourage those around me to do the same. This is a good thing to the extent it is tempered by the Holy Spirit, and I am living with contentment in Christ and not striving in my fleshly ambitions. I have found this to be a delicate balance that can easily get skewed. This morning as I compose this message and prepare for a family gathering to celebrate Christmas, I have a repentant heart and pray the Holy Spirit would allow me to surrender once again to whatever drives me this way. I pray especially during this Christmas season that I can receive the fullness of God’s love and grace, so I can have the capacity to Love those around me like Christ loves me!
Love like Jesus: The longer I live, the more I realize that Love is the most important aspect of life. At the end of the day, when it is all said and done, what will matter most is how well we loved God and others while we were here on earth. So, what does Love really look like in our day to day lives? I would submit that Jesus is the best model of love in all of history, and as followers of Jesus, we can learn how to Love by knowing and pursuing Jesus. Jesus is love. Our goal as believers should be to conform to the image of Jesus by being faithful and obedient to God. Jesus was pure in every way, and He loved selflessly and commanded us His disciples to love the same way He loves us.
Love is defined in 1 Corinthians 13 as “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love never fails.” Wow, what a high bar that Jesus sets for us. I pray I can Love like this by the power of the Holy Spirit at work within me!!!!
My main goal during this Christmas season is to Love like Jesus as defined in 1 Corinthians 13 above. I encourage you to consider joining me in this heartfelt pursuit. It may be the best Christmas ever!!!!
“And now these three things remain: faith, hope and Love. But the greatest of these is LOVE!!!!! 1 Corinthians 13:13
I love you and pray that you and your family have a blessed Christmas and Holiday filled with the Love of Christ!!!!!