Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 21: LOVE”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
When am I ever going to use this?
How many times in grade school, high school or college did you ask this question? Perhaps it was while you were studying for a test on the French Revolution, trying to understand Shakespeare’s writing or trying to formulate a proof for geometry class. What’s the purpose?
Perhaps we had a case. Researchers found that an average high school student in adulthood forgets 40% of what they were taught and uses about 37% of what they learned. So almost 2 out of 3 hours of learning have dropped by the wayside.[1]
Without trying to play educator and propose an alternative curriculum or learning style, the point is this: When we invest in something, we want to see a good rate of return on our investment.
We can also say the same thing about the Lord. He wants to see a return on his love for us!
So is the ROI on God’s love about 37%?
Maybe another way to look at it, when given the opportunity to show love do we fail 2 out of three times?
Perhaps this is hard to measure, but the reflection is valuable.
If we are benefactors of God’s love…which we are. He has shown us that love so we might put that love into practice by loving others…not just 37% of the time, but 100% of the time.
Why?
1 John 4:11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
Loving others is a primary purpose God gave us his love. Yes, he wants us to enjoy the sacrificial, unconditional, forgiving love he has for us. But…he ALSO wants us to take the love he has shown us and show it to others.
For what purpose?
12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
God becomes visible. When we reflect the love of God to others, it is a visible representation of the love that God has shown to us. We can’t see God…but can realize his presence in us and others see his presence through us when we love others.
God’s love becomes complete in us. When we love others, we answer the question, “Why do we need God’s love?” Yes, we need it for our forgiveness, life and salvation, but we also need it so we can love others. When we love others (even ones who have wronged us, hurt us, or stand opposed to us), the completeness of God’s love grows inside of us. We experience the impact of sacrificial, unconditional love as it is extended through us to others. We see the power of God’s love as it restores a broken relationship. We marvel at the significance of God’s love as enemies become friends or hurts are healed.
God doesn’t want his love to be like unused facts once learned in high school. He desires his love to be learned, taken to heart, and shown every chance we get…100% of the time!
John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Apply: How have you more fully experienced, known or appreciated the love God has shown to you as you have shown that love to others?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving me 100% of your love. Help me to love others 100% of the time. AMEN.
[1] https://www.studyfinds.org/survey-americans-use-37-percent-knowledge-learned-high-school/