Thursday, 15 October 2020
Offspring of Love
Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily (1 Corinthians 13:4 AMPC).
The Bible tells us that God is love (1 John 4:8); love is His nature — who He is. When we talk about the attributes of love, therefore, we’re talking about the attributes of God. Apply this to our theme verse and it’ll read, “God endures long and is patient and kind; God never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, God is not boastful or vainglorious, God does not display Himself haughtily.” Hallelujah!
Recall how Jesus lived when He walked the earth; He was love manifested. His works were works of love. His words were words of love. He was love in motion. Jesus in Galilee was the intrusion of love in the streets of Galilee. Love invaded that atmosphere. Now, what about you? The Bible says you’re God’s offspring (1 Peter 1:23), meaning that you’re the reproduction of love.
The offspring of an eagle would be an eagle. The offspring of a human would be a human. The offspring of Love (God), therefore, is love! So, if your name is Philip, for example, you should say, “Philip endures long; Philip is patient and kind. Philip is never envious nor boils over with jealousy. Philip is not boastful or vainglorious. Philip does not display himself haughtily.” Praise God!
God’s Word shows us who we are; it’s a mirror. When you look at that mirror, don’t forget what you look like: patient, kind, tolerant, loving and humble. If arrogance or hatred tries to gain vent through you, refuse and declare, “I’m not arrogant; I’m humble. I’m full of love as Jesus is; I live in His Name; therefore, I walk and act like Him.”
Let the love of Christ, which is the bond of perfection, rule your heart always. Lavishly express the love-nature of God in your spirit and radiate the beauty and glories of heaven to your world.
CONFESSION: I radiate and express God’s love, and with all humility, gentleness and patience, I relate with others graciously, lavishly expressing the beauty and glories of heaven to my world. I’m not envious, jealous, boastful, arrogant or haughty, but accommodating and kind because the love of God is shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Spirit. Hallelujah!
FURTHER STUDY:
Ephesians 4:2 NIV; 1 Peter 4:8 NIV; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28 & Isaiah 61-63
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Hebrews 7:1-10 & Ezekiel 10-11