A Heart Filled with Love
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 4:7-8
When we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, we can receive the indwelling Holy Spirit. If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. (John 14:15-17) We can have all the knowledge about God but if our hearts are not filled with love we cannot be Christ-like because God is love.
As we minister to the world the Lord fills our heart with his agape love. Agape love is the highest form of love and comes from God. It is a sacrificial love that cares about others and places God and others first in our life. The more love we have in our hearts, the more Christ-like we become and the more our hearts seek to be closer to the Lord.
Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. (1 John 2:6) If we claim to live in Jesus, filled with the Spirit, then we must live as Jesus did. Jesus ministered to the world, preaching to them and teaching his apostles. He ministered to groups of people and to individuals, and when we minister to groups and to individuals, God’s love and compassion fills our hearts.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20) This is the purpose of every Christian — to carry the good news of Christ to the world. We do this by our Christ-like behavior, respecting others showing God’s love and compassion. Whenever we have the opportunity we tell them about Christ, invite then to Church service, give them a Biblical tract, etc. But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, (1 Peter 3:15)
Today, reflect the love that God has placed in your heart. Pray that the Lord will guide you to someone that will listen to the good news about Christ. Always be prepared to encourage and pray for someone.
Prayer: Lord, guide me in the Spirit to reflect your love to others. Fill my heart with your love because it motivates me to place you and others first. Thank you for the love you have for me as shown by the Cross. In Jesus’ name, Amen