Loving Others
Have you ever wondered what it truly means to love others? In 1 Corinthians, Paul says:
“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, always perseveres. Love never fails."
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV
Take a moment to be still before the Lord and reflect on the meaning and actions of love. How does it manifest in our actions towards others? Let's look at three parts of this passage, from 1 Corinthans 13:5:
"Love does not dishonor others." Do I prioritize the needs and well-being of others over my own desires? Do I sacrifice personal gain for the benefit of others, motivated by genuine empathy and compassion?
"Love is not easily angered." Do I choose forgiveness over resentment, refusing to be provoked by the shortcomings of others?
"Love keeps no record of wrongs." Do I truly believe that love keeps no record of wrongs? And do I choose to let go of past hurts and grievances?
Truly loving others as ourselves isn't something that happens by accident. It’s something that requires transformation and God's power. It requires a heart that's surrendered to God. How will you choose to love others well today?
First Things First
There are plenty of things in life that beg for our attention. Our days are filled with relationships and responsibilities, all of which take time.
In Jesus’ famous sermon in Matthew 6, He spends some time talking about the various things we give our attention to. He explains that instead of spending all of our time and energy worrying about our basic need and desires in life, we should first seek His kingdom and His righteousness. If we do that, everything else will fall into place.
So, what does it mean to seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness?
God’s kingdom is about God’s rule and reign over all of creation. His kingdom was unleashed during Jesus’ ministry on earth, and is now growing and expanding throughout the global Church. The work of the kingdom is to continue to tell others about the hope of Jesus, and to teach everything that Jesus has commanded.
To seek God’s righteousness is to desire to live the way God intended. It's to live according to God’s...