Love.Life.Impact - the Believer's MandateSample

Day 1: Love - How God’s love nurtures and sustains our faith in Him.

“But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him.” Romans 5:8(MSG).

Whatever we are borne from, we are sustained by. Just as a fish can only survive and thrive in water, our spiritual lives find their proper nourishment and sustenance in God’s love. This profound love is the foundation of our salvation and the driving force that propels us forward in our Christian journey.

Because God so richly loves us, it is His love for us—not our love for Him—that compels and holds us. This means that our efforts or actions do not sustain our relationship with God; rather, His love is the anchor that holds us close, not our fragile grasp.

It is this understanding of His unwavering affection that fuels our desire to live a disciplined life. Knowing that God passionately loves us shapes everything we do. This is why you notice that the more time you spend studying or listening to God’s word, the more you naturally tend to put off old habits—why? Because it is a response to His love. “For it is Christ’s love that fuels our passion and holds us tightly, because we are convinced that he has given his life for all of us.” 2 Corinthians 5:14(TPT).

God does not love us because Christ died for us; rather, Christ died for us because God loves us and has forgiven all our sins and iniquities. Understanding this immense love, regardless of our mistakes or failures, should inspire us to love and forgive one another freely, just as we have freely received God’s love and forgiveness.

1 John 2:12(TPT): “I remind you, dear children: your sins have been permanently removed because of the power of his name.” 1 John 4:19-21 beautifully encapsulates this:

“19. Our love for others is our grateful response to the love God first demonstrated to us.

20. Anyone can say, “I love God,” yet have hatred toward another believer. This makes him a phony, because if you don’t love a brother or sister, whom you can see, how can you truly love God, whom you can’t see?

21. For he has given us this command: whoever loves God must also demonstrate love to others.” (TPT).

How can you show God’s love to someone you find difficult today? Showing God’s love to them might mean treating them with kindness despite their negativity. Remember, we love our neighbours as Christ has loved us.

Declarations:

As you go through your day, remember to make these declarations:

I am the Righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.

I am passionately loved by God.

I am the Beloved of Abba.

Today, I bask in the everlasting love of the Father.

All my sins are forgiven!