Follow Me - Devotional on DiscipleshipSample

START WITH LOVE

The greatest commandment we are given from God is to "love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37). The verse goes on to say; "And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself" (Matthew 22:39).At the core of God's desire for our lives, is love.

As Christians, this way of living has been prioritised for us by God Himself. So, how do we best obey this commandment?

I'm so glad you asked.

One of my favourite scriptures in the whole Bible is 2 Corinthians 5:17. It teaches that upon accepting Christ as the Lord and Saviour of our lives we have become a new creation - our old lives have passed away, and the new has come.That's right, no longer are we bound to sin, but our lives are renewed and we have freedom in Christ.But it doesn't stop there.

For the rest of our lives, this side of eternity, we are refined in becoming Christ-like through a process called sanctification. This is a work that only the Holy Spirit can do in us, and is kick-started by the activating agent: love. Our core motivation comes from Christ's love for us, which leads us to repentance, obedience, and change.

As I was reading the other day, I was so deeply convicted by this quote from Jordan Peterson, referring to Christians whose actions don't match up with their beliefs:

"You aren’t sufficiently transformed for me to believe that you believe in God or that you believe the story that you’re telling me... the way you live isn’t a sufficient testament to the truth."

Is the way that you live your life a testament to the truth of the transformative work of Christ in your life?

First and foremost we need to love ['agapaō' in Greek] God with everything we are; this means with affectionate reverence, prompt obedience, and grateful recognition. And secondly, love others.. this one isn't just for the evangelists! And not just when we're having a good day, not just loving the people we like, but truly loving others.

Love is not self-seeking (1 Corinthians 13:4-5). As disciples of God, loving Him and others means setting aside idols, obsessions, and other distractions that are preventing you from truly loving as Christ has instructed. You know, those things that are keeping you in your comfort zone, or those things that are taking priority in your life (whatever they may be). Maybe it's some old habits you haven't kicked yet. Whatever it is, if it takes the number 1 spot in your life, if you're prioritising anything over Christ, it's gotta go!

Having God as our priority is evidence of a life transformed.

DAY ONE ACTION POINT - If love should be at the centre of the way we live as Christians, what is one way that you could increase in love this week? Make an effort, daily, this week to increase in love in just one way.

PRAYER - Lord, I know that love is where it all begins. I want to love You well, with all my heart, all my soul, and all my mind. Thank you that You have, through Your great love, made me a new creation! Help me to change, not just to please You but to love You. In Jesus' name, Amen.