Comfort – what if we could really understand the love of God in increasingly clear ways? What a comfort that would be to know we’re loved that much! In Ephesians 3:16-19 we get encouragement to pursue God’s love more and more, knowing all along that it surpasses knowledge. So we can ‘get it’ but not completely ‘get it‘!
After a child is born the love of his/her family grows to an even deeper love. Now the baby is seen, held, enjoyed. The apostle Paul compared his love for the people in Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 2:7-12) to the tender love of a nursing mother for her baby. That’s some tender care expressed by “Mr. Doctrine”- Mr. Author of Two-Thirds of the New Testament” himself! And he was talking about loving adults too!
Then Paul goes to the heart of it again asking God in written prayer (Philippians 1:9-11) for our love to abound “more and more”. Was he just referring to love for God? I think love for God was included in “your love may abound more and more” but not limited to love for God. I think he meant each other too.
So, do you “get it”? You and I must pursue with diligence and energy the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ and gifted to us by Holy Spirit Himself. God is love! Jesus paid a horrible price to make God’s love available to you and me. Now, the “other Comforter”, Holy Spirit, Whom Jesus promised would come (John 14:16-18), now brings God’s love to us and reveals it to others through us!
Would you pray this with me this week and all through the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons?
“Dear, Father, because Jesus brought Your love to earth and lived Your love ‘out loud’ so we could see it, hear it, and read about Your love in the Bible, please take away any of my own hard-heartedness and replace my shallow love with Your true love. And, Father, please express Your love, not just to me, but through me to my family, friends, even my enemies – if I have any?”
Want to pray scripture to be more exact in your praying?
Apostle Paul wrote this passage too:
“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV
1 Follow God’s example,therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
So as we prepare for holidays and experience the seasons, let’s enjoy living in the comfort of God’s love coming into us and going out through us. That would result in miraculous changes in us and those we touch! What a comforting thought!
Have a wonderful week – the best one of your life, so far!