Ever Been Really Loved By Someone?
Ever Really Loved Someone?
What a gift!
Scripture Focus Tuesday evening, March 15, 2022: 1 Peter 1:22-25
New International Version
22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.[a] 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, 25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.”[b] And this is the word that was preached to you.
When I dated a young lady in high school – both of us were juniors, I thought I was in love. I thought she loved me too. Didn’t work out. Shocked? Oh, I liked her and enjoyed being with her, I didn’t really know how to have a friendship much less a committed lasting relationship based on meeting her needs above my own. I had a ton of growing up to do. But it felt like love to me – it felt new, fresh, exciting, and “lasting” — at first. After all, why should these feelings change? Change they did in several months time. She moved on to a drummer in the band, and I couldn’t compete with my ’66 Chevy Impala and no notoriety except that I was a nerd – studied hard, made good grades, etc. Oh, yeah, did I say also that I was a jerk.
And, probably as you did, I had many acquaintances in high school and college, but not until I met Carol (now my wife of 49 years) did I take the time to figure out if I truly loved her and if she loved me. That was different approach and a bit scary. We -from the deepest part of our hearts at the time – did love each other. But, those who know our story may remember that we had to come to grips with a whole new kind of love that God offered. We were discovering how to receive God’s love then give it away without strings attached. God’s grace came to us, rescued our friendship, and continues to move us to an abundant relation we didn’t know was possible on our wedding day back in 1972. Wow, that sounds like a long time ago, doesn’t it? ‘Cause it is a long time ago!
God’s true love is what I want us to explore together this week. Human love- given and received- is so wonderful, isn’t it? I wish for you both love and commitment, but you know that the feelings attached to human-level love are changeable at best; disposable at worst. I know that’s the way it is, but it just needs to be recognized.
That is why commitment is so important to a lasting, loving relationship. Feelings can change, they can diminish, but they can return stronger and even more beautiful than before. God’s love has to capture our human love and replace it with His love that is both pure and strong. He loved us first, remember? We love because He started the process and offers the gift. Our human love is only a part of the love He offers. His love lasts. ( I Corinthians 13:1-13)
Please know that I am begging you to investigate and use all the curiosity and willingness you can muster to discover how much God loves you – unconditionally. I want you to discover how much He wants you to receive His love then learn to freely give His love away starting in your closest relationships and never stopping….all the way to those you will meet in life – family, children, co-workers, neighbors, and strangers.
Let’s start or continue this amazing adventure?
How do we discover His love and continue the journey?
A. Read in God’s Word about how much He loves you whether you feel it or, yet, believe it. We have to start somewhere. Ephesians 3:16-19 – 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
More Verses to investigate: John 3:16; John 13:34-35; I John 4:19
B. Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and to show you how He has loved, cared, and provided for you every day of your life….even when others failed to do so and missed the opportunities to share God’s love and provision with you. Even when you gave up on them or even on yourself, He never gave up on you! Did He? After all, you made it this far, and my guess is He has bigger plans for you than you know. Give Him the trust and be patient as He changes you into the person He designed you to be. His love for you is the key.
C. Submit by faith to know and do His will starting today regarding living from the resource of His lavish love for you and determining by His direction to live a life of love and service to others. I John 3:1; Ephesians 5:1-2
D. Finally – believe that when you ask for something that IS God’s will, you will receive it. I John 5:14-15 says it best:
14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
Friend, you know it is God’s will for you to receive the love He offers, love Him back, love others, and to even love yourself appropriately. Jesus made it crystal clear in Matthew 22:37-39? Pray His will for you – for His love to come, to change you and make you new, then empower you to love others. Watch Him do it in you!
You and I will invest the rest of our days in a multitude of people, interests, jobs, and ministries. None of these people, places, things or ideas are more important to God (and therefore to you and me) than developing and leaving a legacy of the love of God. He will “shed (his love) abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit”, others will see our “good deeds” and “glorify (have faith to believe then show it in the way we love) our heavenly Father”. Jesus said so. Matthew 22:37-39; Matthew 5:14-16; Galatians 5:6b
Table Talk Discussion Questions:
- Lean In: How do you recognize it when two married people seem to truly love each other? How do friends show that they love each other? How do Christian men demonstrate God’s love?
- Look Down: In 1 Peter 1:22-25, Peter calls us to not just love, but to love fervently. What could he mean by that? Notice he gives some reasons that we can love each other. What has happened or is happening to our souls? What part has obedience played? How has Holy Spirit been engaged in our loving each other? The sacrifice of Jesus’ own blood makes our response of loving each other even more appropriate. Jesus deserves no less than our best. What do you think God is showing us by comparing us (men) to grass that doesn’t last long then contrasting the fact that God’s word (Gospel, Jesus the living word) lasts forever?
- Look Out: Look Out: How do men want love to be shown to them in friendships? Is it ok to call friendship a type of love? Do most men see love as a masculine or feminine idea? How about how married men or those who want to be married would like for their spouse to show love? Is love high on the priority list of most men you know? How do men show the love of God in day to day life? Where does God’s love show up on the priority list of most men that you know?
- Look In: How has your understanding of love in friendship and in marriage changed over the years? How important is loving the Lord your God, and how do you show it? Could loving God hold a higher place on your priority list? How could loving God make advances on your list?
- Take It Outside: In what ways could we help other men and boys face their need to accepts God’s love, appreciate it Him as their loving Father, and develop a deeper love for friends, family, and (potentially) a future spouse?
- Love God well – in your own life
- Invite men to church or to Bible study where God’s love is seen
- Do one on one with men whom God places on your heart
- Have meaningful conversations with younger men / boys
- Let other men know of your struggles and breakthroughs of faith
- What else do you see as possible ways to impact other men?
I know this Builders Men’s Ministry installment is scripture-heavy, but my words alone will not convince you. The Father will draw you; Holy Spirit will guide you to truth; Jesus will deliver on the promises He made! Count on Him. We have no other legitimate place to turn. Do we? Men, let’s grow in love and watch God change us from the inside. I guarantee it will happen. I did not say say life will be easy and fun always, but in the process of occasionally going through some hard things, at least they will be worth it. Love will grow and produce eternal fruit and reward for you and others and be a blessing to the heart of God, our Father.