“For this is the love of God that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome” 1 John 5:3.

Devotional No 1

Your priorities reveal the things you value most in life. It is true that, what we value prioritize; and what we prioritize, we invest in. Jesus spoke of the same when He stated that, where our treasure is there will our hearts be. This is about the things that consume us and take our time. Where is God in all our plans and work? Is He of value? In our lead scripture above, Apostle John encourages us that keeping God’s command is part of our love for Him. Such commands, he says, are not burdensome. Loving God should be a romantic relationship and not a duty. Love should be the number one thing on your spiritual priority list.

Ones commitment to learn how to walk in love becomes the single best decision to be made by every Christian. “If you have someone or something you love greatly, you give your enemies the ability to hurt you greatly so as to rob you of it. It is no accident that soldiers over the centuries required their loved ones to stay home and as far away as from the field of battle. They would rather suffer hurt or even death than see their loved ones endangered” states Tommy Tenney in his book Experiencing His Presence. Tenney argues that, this very thought is what made Christ die on the cross for us. He was willing to die a criminal’s death in order to save us from eternal punishment. We have no excuse therefore to cling onto our passionless religious activities that have no place for God. Jesus chastises such people by calling such people “Lip Lovers.” These people love me with their lips but their hearts are far from me.” What is your love for God like? Remember, He died for you? Are you willing to lay down everything for His sake?

However, loving others is single most difficult thing particularly when God calls on you to love your perceived ‘unlovable’ people. What we have to comprehend is that, loving others will cost you. God’s love for us cost Him His Son. Our love for others will cost us our time, effort, patience, grace and even resources like money and space. Even godly people feel ungodly in the manifest presence of God. We all fall short of what God expects but He is still our example. He so loved the world that He gave, we need to love such that we give. Loving other will also discipline you to become Christ like. Life’s lessons are best taught by life experiences. God at times send people our way to help us shed off the unnecessary spiritual baggage. Such baggage may include selfishness, self centeredness, and pride. Allow God to help you walk in His love and experience His freedom.

Lord, I can not love by my own strength. Give me the strength when I feel too weak to love. Strengthen me to give one extra minute, hour or day in prayer and intimacy. Help me seek for your face even in moments when it is hard to do it. Help me extend the same love to others so that in turn my heart may learn to give even during adversity. Amen.

Philip Kitoto
Senior Pastor
International Christian Centre
Nairobi
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