So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13, ESV
As our faith deepens, our hope rises. Love both deepens faith and raises hope while growing itself through them. Turn to God. Trust Him. Find hope. Love Him.
Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart Psalm 119:2, ESV
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” John 14:15 “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24
“even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28, ESV
Our ambition should not be to be the best or most well known. Our ambition in life should be to love people like Jesus: sacrificially and humbly, for the glory of God.
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. 1 John 4:7-12
Simple, Not Easy (Part 2)
Big picture: Love God, love people, share the Gospel. But how do we love others . . . in the Church?
Jesus loved by S Himself, so ought we do the same (John 15:13).
Love each other by NOT being:
S , but rather h (Philippians 2:3)
H (Romans 12:9-13), but rather s (1 Peter 1:22-23)
Love each other by:
H each other (Colossians 6:10)
T , r , r , e , and staying p (2 Timothy 4:2)
Let us show un-hypocritical love by helping each other through this life by pointing each other back to God’s Word and Christ’s example, being patient and kind with each other as we stumble along, remembering we need each other’s help!
Big picture: Love God, love people, share the Gospel. But how love God?
What does the Bible say?
Love God by (Deuteronomy 6:4-9):
Studying S (Psalm 119:15-16)
Discussing S
Love God by loving the C (John 13:34)
R God’s faithfulness.
M together to talk about His faithfulness.
E each other in truth and good works.
Love God by:
H those in need (Micah 6:8, Isaiah 1:16-17)
W to people (Matthew 5:13-16, 28:18-20
We show we love God by sharing the gospel and teaching people to obey, as we should be doing. Not being ashamed of the Gospel, but boldly proclaiming truth.
Do we truly love the Lord our God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths? Maybe I can help with the mind part, at least! This is Daniel M. Klem, apparent poet, reluctant yet passionate Disciple (Peter?), and foolish man attempting to understand theology!