Love is Commitment

March 2nd, 2024

Today is our last day focusing on the "Manifestations of the True Love of Christ." Be encouraged and remember this charge!

SCRIPTURE: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” John 13:34
SCRIPTURE: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-8

Saints of God, of course we are aware of many wonderful verses in the Holy Scriptures that attempt to describe God’s love for us. And therefore the Lord earnestly waits, expecting, looking, and longing, to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you, and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who earnestly wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him-for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship (Isaiah 30:18)! This verse in the Amplified version has to be one of my all-time favorite passages to visit when I feel like the Lord has, in some way, abandoned me (Your Help for me, Lord!). Also, the Lord states to Jeremiah and His people in Jeremiah 31:3, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore, with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” God continued His faithfulness to Jeremiah and His people. Now, these awesome expressions of love by God are just mere attempts to pronounce His love for His people. Why would anyone in their right mind leave the presence of such a God!?

Abba Father has committed Himself to love us to the very core of our being. He wants us to reciprocate and share this love. In Philippians 2:5-11, Paul exhorts us (signifying we have a decision to make) to let the mind of Christ also be ours. With all that God has done for us in sending His LOVE-gifts, such as our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ for our redemption, and God the Holy Spirit for our earthly help and comfort, our mind should readily and swiftly lead us to show proof of our commitment to Him, even to the point of death.

The enemy and our flesh will cause us to fail; however, in those times, we have God’s LOVE- provisions in place, Christ our Savior, the Holy Spirit our advocate, and 1st John 1:9 our rescue and security verse, all of which are absolutely able to draw us back to our Lord’s precious bleeding side.

Prayer: Lord, we thank You for accepting us back, over and over again...restoring us to YOURSELF when we leave the safety of Your love, plan, and purpose. Help us to determine to love You with all of our heart, mind, and soul that we may serve You, without any reckless interruptions, in Spirit and in Truth. In Jesus’ Name-Amen.
By Sis. Lisa Williams