This week, in our devotions in Luke, we are looking at what it means to be God’s family. Today, we explore a crucial aspect of how loving the Father means that we love His family.
‘Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.” He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”’ (Luke 8:19-21)
Lesson: If we are born again and adopted into God’s family, this will show itself in Christlike love for one another.
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Love for God will always be seen in loving the things that He loves; and God so loves His Church that He purchased her by the death of His own Son. God loves us, and God, by the Spirit, wants to help us to love the family of God - The Church - as He loves her. John writes about the non-negotiable place of love:
‘We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.’ (1 John 3:14-15)
He could not be any clearer in saying that we are not Christians if we don’t love God’s family! Those who have ‘passed from death to life’ - those who are born again - love one-another. Our reading in 1 John continues:
‘This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.’ (1 John 3:16-18)
John shows us that love must be defined. We must throw off a worldly view of love that often defines it as, don’t make anyone feel bad about living in any way that they choose. Sounds loving, but fails God’s definition! Love is not doing what makes me happy! Rather, it is modelled on Christ who laid down His life. To love is to sacrifice ourselves for the good of others. We are generous to others as Christ has been generous to us. A child of God does not love themselves and their preferences! A child of God has died to self and loves the Father and His preferences and He has a great preference for His family.
Response
If we are born again and adopted into God’s family, this will show itself in Christlike love for one another. How is your love for your church family? Do you have a church family? Are you serving them? Are you modelling your relationship with your church family on how Christ loves them?
COMMUNITY GROUP NOTES AND STUDY
There are no CG’s this week as we have our week of prayer. For details on meetings, please look at Church News, contact the church office or speak to your Community Group Leader.