How Deep Is Your Love for Christ?

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – October 31, 2024

“We love Him because he first loved us.” —1 John 4:19

God [The Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit] is Love! This Scripture compels us to reflect on the Source of love and to check the status of our love for God which is demonstrated through reverence and obedience to Him and love and compassion for others. Something is not right within us when we do not love everyone Christ created in His image.

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” —Matthew 22:37-39

In studying the Life of Christ we find that His earthly life was filled with experiencing abject hatred from the Pharisees and Jewish leaders who desired His death because he spoke the One and Only Truth and preached that He is “The Way, the Truth, and the Life.” Jesus described himself as a “Man of Sorrows” because the very people who rejected Him were the ones He came to Earth to save their souls.

“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” —Ephesians 4:32

We are commanded to love, respect, and forgive others as Christ loves. You will never meet a person Christ did not die for, therefore, we should treat every living being regardless of socioeconomic status with the utmost respect and love. Another test of our faith and whether we possess unconditional love is the ability to reveal Christ’s love when we are accused, mistreated, or excluded.

“A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.” —Proverbs 19:11

Our reaction to offenses reveals whether or not our hearts are filled with the Righteousness of Christ and evidence if we are actively participating with the Holy Spirit to transform our mind, character, and personality into the likeness of Christ—which is Sanctification: Spiritual growth, and maturity.

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” —Ephesians 6:11

Because we serve the Most High God, Satan uses people to attack our character (Spiritual Warfare is Satan’s scheme). If we retaliate with harsh, angry spoken words, carry an unrighteous grudge, or harbor a spirit of offense then the love of God is not in our hearts. “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” —Exodus 14:14

Throughout the Old Testament, every victory reveals our God is a Mighty Warrior and always wins the battle. Although we are mistreated, we pray for Spiritual strength and the Holy Spirit will empower us to remain silent and walk away from all spiritual warfare involving conflict. If we pray for wisdom and discernment then we will view satanic attacks of unfair treatment and biases through spiritual eyes.

How deep is your love for Christ? Are you willing to suffer as Christ suffered?

Strive daily to be Christ-like. Our ultimate goal should align with God’s Divine purpose for giving Jesus, His only Son to die on the cross for us. Our focus when considering the future does not include vacations, retirement, or buying homes and vehicles. We can be 100% certain about one thing regarding the future: Jesus Christ, our Triumphant King’s promise in John 14.

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” —John 14:1-3

Every day we remind ourselves that we are living to have a personal relationship with Christ and one day soon to receive our reward of eternal life in a perfect world filled with Agape love. Amen! Peace and Blessings.

Love God, Love Others, and Love Yourself

Bible Study: 1 Corinthians 13

Lord God, we ask You to teach us how to love unconditionally and pray for the spiritual wisdom and discernment to recognize the warfare designed to misrepresent Your love for others. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.

©2024 Steps to Success with Spiritual Solutions Ministry