Love: A More Excellent Way
October 22, 2021“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35
WALK IN LOVE. The apostle Paul called the love walk a “more excellent way” (1 Corinthians 12:31). Love covers a multitude of sins and causes us to face the future with a fresh start. We don’t have to rely on our human power to love. The love of God is poured out in our hearts and the Holy Spirit enables us to walk it out (Romans 5:5).
Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. Luke 6:37
CHOOSE TO FORGIVE. Walking in love is not emotional, it’s decisional. Feelings sometimes have to catch up with your choice. God doesn’t want us to live in the prison of resentment. He wants us to be free. You may be in the midst of the hurt, but today choose to forgive.
Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. Luke 6:31-33
RELEASE IN PRAYER. There is joy in forgiving and in being forgiven. Individually forgive and release each person you need to forgive. In prayer to God, declare out loud each person’s name. Plead the blood of Jesus and pray for mercy over each one’s life. God may lead you to talk to someone face to face, or He may not. Whatever God has you do, He’ll equip you for it.
God bless you!
Pastor Jeff
“Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.”
–Corrie ten Boom
Copyright © 2021 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. ten Boom, Corrie. Tramp for the Lord. Fort Washington, PA. Published by CLC Publications. Copyright 1974 by Corrie ten Boom and Jamie Buckingham.