More recently, I began to experience warnings from God regarding the way my heart was going, and that there would be consequences if I didn't change my thinking. I became willing, and now I am beginning to have peace again. My circumstances still haven't really changed, but I have (at least somewhat (more is required)), and that alone has made a noticeable difference.
In another recent sermon at my church, our pastor challenged us, via the Parable of the Good Samaritan, to be neighbors to one another. We just so happen to have a fellow churchmember with advanced (undiagnosed) dementia who still lives independently. Lately there has been an unfortunate turn of events regarding on whom the responsibility of care and watchfulness has fallen. I'm not directly involved, but I am involved indirectly. Right now, in my role, being a neighbor means praying for this person, for this person's care, and for my friend who is directly involved not only in the care but also in the drama surrounding someone else abandoning responsibility of care. My friend is saved. We believe that the individual with undiagnosed dementia is saved. Supposedly this other person is a Christian. But we don't know. However, I know that the Bible says this (and I will let you know that this is a challenge to me as much as anyone else!):
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35, NKJV
Marked by Love
Imagine God’s perfect creation: the Garden of Eden. In the garden, there was no evil and hardship—the world was good. Unfortunately, because the devil deceived humans into disobeying God, we now live in an imperfect world.
The world we live in is different from what God intended—in this world, situations are not always good. People make mistakes and sometimes hurt us and the people we love. Because of this, you might feel uncertain about loving others or even God. But there’s good news: When our world changed, God did not change.
God is still perfect—and He still loves us perfectly. Regardless of the mistakes we make, God will not stop loving us. We know God loves us because He redeemed our mistakes on the cross through Jesus Christ. And when Jesus returned to heaven, He sent His Holy Spirit to be with us.
His love for us is not dependent upon our love for Him—it’s not reliant on what we do, what we say, or how we act. This doesn’t mean we should purposefully go against God’s Word—it means that no matter where we’re at in life, God’s love will meet us where we are.
In 1 John 4, we are told that whoever remains in love remains in God because God is love. If we say we love God, the evidence of love in our lives should be seen through how we treat and serve others. This doesn’t always feel natural—but this is a challenge the Lord wants to help us overcome.
As we grow closer to Him, His love is perfected in us. And as He transforms us into people perfected by His love, we don’t have to fear His judgment because we can be confident that we are His.
God desires our love, and our love for Him grows through worship, prayer, and spending time in His Word. But God is also the source of love, and He wants to help us remain in love so we can remain in Him. He loves us perfectly, understands our imperfections, and can make us perfect in His love.
So today, take some time to ask the Lord to help you live a life marked by love.
Imagine God’s perfect creation: the Garden of Eden. In the garden, there was no evil and hardship—the world was good. Unfortunately, because the devil deceived humans into disobeying God, we now live in an imperfect world.
The world we live in is different from what God intended—in this world, situations are not always good. People make mistakes and sometimes hurt us and the people we love. Because of this, you might feel uncertain about loving others or even God. But there’s good news: When our world changed, God did not change.
God is still perfect—and He still loves us perfectly. Regardless of the mistakes we make, God will not stop loving us. We know God loves us because He redeemed our mistakes on the cross through Jesus Christ. And when Jesus returned to heaven, He sent His Holy Spirit to be with us.
His love for us is not dependent upon our love for Him—it’s not reliant on what we do, what we say, or how we act. This doesn’t mean we should purposefully go against God’s Word—it means that no matter where we’re at in life, God’s love will meet us where we are.
In 1 John 4, we are told that whoever remains in love remains in God because God is love. If we say we love God, the evidence of love in our lives should be seen through how we treat and serve others. This doesn’t always feel natural—but this is a challenge the Lord wants to help us overcome.
As we grow closer to Him, His love is perfected in us. And as He transforms us into people perfected by His love, we don’t have to fear His judgment because we can be confident that we are His.
God desires our love, and our love for Him grows through worship, prayer, and spending time in His Word. But God is also the source of love, and He wants to help us remain in love so we can remain in Him. He loves us perfectly, understands our imperfections, and can make us perfect in His love.
So today, take some time to ask the Lord to help you live a life marked by love.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18, NKJV
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