Divine Love Changes the Heart
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
1 John 4:7
Love is the foundation of the Christian life, because God’s love in our hearts changes us. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. (Romans 8:29) All those who except Christ as the Lord and Savior, are predestined to conform to the image of His Son. Jesus was motivated by his love for the Father and his love for us, and we are being molded to have hearts of love, love for the Father and the Son, and love for all people.
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (James 1:22) We can know the Word in our minds, and it will go to our hearts as when obey the Word, guided by the Spirit. With hearts filled with God’s love, the Word describes our new Godly character, and all God’s commands become natural and desirable.
The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40) In this story, Christ is the king and we show our love to the Lord by helping others and telling them about Christ. The purpose of being a Christian is to be light on a hill and tell the world about Christ. God has given everyone certain talents to develop and use to reflect Christ, help others, and tell others about Christ. We can tell others about Christ by reflecting Christ, telling them verbally, handing out literature, or inviting them to church. The Lord will use everyone for his purpose.
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20) God love fills our heart with love as we bring Christ to others, and love changes our focus from self to Christ and others. We die to our will and live for the Lord’s will, and the Lord makes it easier to take care of our needs for self and family.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33) If we have the faith to put our life in the hands of Christ, always seeking to the Lord will, we will find the Lord provides our earthy needs. Our first ministry is our family followed by our church family; and we all have a ministry to be light on a hill.
Today pray the Lord fills your heart with his love as he guides you to be light for Christ. This is what we are created to do, and it will become the most fulfilling activity.
Prayer: Lord continue to guide me in the Spirit and continue filling my heart with your love. In Jesus name, Amen