- Joined
- Oct 26, 2007
- Messages
- 11,642
The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. 1 Timothy 1:5 NLT
Living an authentic Christian faith isn't easy. It can be difficult--sometimes very difficult. To live as Jesus' disciple, you must have the love of God motivating you in all that you do. That's because Jesus commands that you love others, and while this can be relatively easy when you're in a good mood, much of the time it goes against your natural instincts.
You really have to believe that Jesus was right about this love-your-neighbor-as-yourself thing, and that it's worth it. Of course, the person on the receiving end is convinced that it's a good thing, but when you're on the giving end where the price tag is attached, it's not always so clear.
In the NIV, 1 Timothy 1:5 says, "The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart…and a sincere faith." You not only need to have a pure heart free of selfish motivations, but--to get you over the hump and keep on loving others when the warm emotions dissipate--you also need faith. You must believe that it's the right thing.
Prayer: God, motivate me by Your love. Help me to believe deep down in the core of my being that this is what You genuinely desire me to do. In Jesus' name, I pray.
Living an authentic Christian faith isn't easy. It can be difficult--sometimes very difficult. To live as Jesus' disciple, you must have the love of God motivating you in all that you do. That's because Jesus commands that you love others, and while this can be relatively easy when you're in a good mood, much of the time it goes against your natural instincts.
You really have to believe that Jesus was right about this love-your-neighbor-as-yourself thing, and that it's worth it. Of course, the person on the receiving end is convinced that it's a good thing, but when you're on the giving end where the price tag is attached, it's not always so clear.
In the NIV, 1 Timothy 1:5 says, "The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart…and a sincere faith." You not only need to have a pure heart free of selfish motivations, but--to get you over the hump and keep on loving others when the warm emotions dissipate--you also need faith. You must believe that it's the right thing.
Prayer: God, motivate me by Your love. Help me to believe deep down in the core of my being that this is what You genuinely desire me to do. In Jesus' name, I pray.
