WEEK 6 — Loving Others (1 Peter 1)

“God loves each of us as if there were only one of us” —Augustine

Overview
After we have received the love of God, and we learn to love ourselves and see the value that God places on us - we are enabled to love others! Loving others is what is most difficult when we are not in right relationship with God. As we love and obey God, our hearts and minds are purified and through the Holy Ghost we can love others with the kind of love God loves us with. Those around us need someone to show and demonstrate God’s love to them. Think back to when you learned about Jesus and His love for you…it most likely occurred because someone was allowing the love of Jesus to shine through them. Jesus said that people would know that we were His followers because of our love for one another. Learning to love others unconditionally is one of the greatest challenges, but most rewarding joys of following Jesus. As we open our hearts to others, Jesus pours more love through us.

Memorize
1 Peter 1:22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,

1 Peter 1 (NKJV)
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls. 10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into. 13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you 21 who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. 22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, 23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, 24 because “All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away,25 But the word of the Lord endures forever.” Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.

Confession
Thank You Jesus for loving me and helping me love others. Please let me see myself and others the way you see us - and let me love like You do. Forgive me for judging and criticizing people in my haste and arrogance and pride. I surrender my life to You and realize that I am a sinner who was beyond loving, and yet You loved me and gave Yourself for me on the cross at Calvary. Guide me this week to love others with Your love and demonstrate this love to them.

THOUGHTS…INSIGHT…What is the Lord saying to me?

Project 52 Devotional (2021)
by Amazon.com Services LLC
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