Respond with God’s Love

Pray – (1/2 minute)

Read – (2 1/2 minutes) – “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8)
  Passage: 1 Peter 3:8-12 

         I am the oldest of four children in our family. My brother and I are just two years apart and we have two younger sisters. Keith and I spent a lot of time playing together and we could be playing one minute and then get upset with each other the next. Most of those times were due to my own self-centered immaturity and as we both grew and matured, we, along with our sisters have a deep relationship that is loving and strong.
        It is a sad reality that many families do not have healthy relationships like we do, and they are dysfunctional and divided. It’s also sad that many church families experience dysfunction and division too. When you became a believer, God brought you into His eternal family. You are a brother or sister to every other believer in this world and God designed local churches to be spiritual families for His children to share life and do ministry together. The distinct patience of Christ calls for you to respond with God’s love to others whenever you feel hurt or disappointed. Jesus said, “Do to others what you would have them do to you,” (Matt. 7:12) You would like others to respond with God’s love to you. Do the same to them and be patient. Jesus in you loves them.      

Apply - (2 1/2 minutes)
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Pray - (1 1/2 minutes)