“Love is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].”
Dear Father:
Your love is not prideful. You’ve told me about the destruction I can bring upon myself when I allow pride to rule my life. Sometimes it can be hard to admit I am wrong, but I’m believing your grace is sufficient for me so in times to come I will resist pride without hesitation. You said you desire truth from the inward parts, and I want to be like you.
You’re not rude or unmannerly; neither are you touchy, fretful or resentful, Father. If somebody does you wrong, you don’t seek revenge or pretend you don’t see them when they walk by, so I won’t do that either. I know everyone needs mercy like I sure have in my life, and I know everybody’s working on something. Nothing can ever be compared to the great love Jesus showed toward me when He made the ultimate sacrifice for me on the cross, so I find it easy to forget about the wrongs done to me. Jesus took on not only my sins, but also the sins of the whole world, so much so that His face was marred beyond recognition. He even took on things that don’t even have a name, and He did it just for me. That’s perfect love.
And, Father, you’re not self seeking, because it wasn’t your way or the highway when Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane. He knew death was imminent and He could have gotten up off His knees and said to His disciples, "Dudes, I'm really not feeling this. This is making me sweat. I think I’m gonna go back to God and see if I can get a replacement. I can always go back to my last job of healing people." But, instead, He commended His love toward me, and with me in mind he fearlessly acknowledged that this whole thing was not about him at all, but it was about me and about us, your people. He trudged his way to the cross, not once even looking back. Now that’s perfect love.
Your perfect love casts out all my fears, and fear is the only reason I would always want my way----because I would be afraid I would lose something by leaving the way open for someone else or by relinquishing to them something I felt I should have. With you, I don’t have to hold onto anything to obtain; I save my life by losing it.
So when the lady eases ahead of me in the grocery store line, I’ll just pretend she was there first and give her a warm smile at the checkout counter.
My distinguishing characteristic is not my morality or my vast knowledge of music. Neither is it my ability to recite the Book of Ephesians or my athletic skills. It is your supernatural love operating through me for other believers. That’s how the world will know we are your disciples and believe on you. Your love is the kind that draws a drug addict out of the gutter and compels a wayward child to come back home. I need to know and deliver that kind of love.
Father, help me to come to the end of myself and abandon trusting in myself, and show me through your Word how to love others as you loved Jesus. -AMEN
Scripture Links: Proverbs 16:18; Psalm 51:6; I John 4:18; Philippians 2:3
To Receive Jesus as Lord ad Savior:(Sinner's Prayer) Dear God, I am a sinner. I need a savior. I need Jesus. I believe Jesus died for my sins and rose on the third day. I ask Jesus now to come into my heart and to become Lord over my life. Satan has no more power over me. I say with my mouth that Jesus is Lord. Father, help me to live for you, and thank you for saving me. John 3:16.
To Rededicate Your Life to the Lord (after falling away):Dear Heavenly Father: I confess to you that I have sinned. You said if I confess my sin you are faithful and just to forgive me and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I turn away from sin and turn to you, and I ask you to forgive me. I forgive myself also. Father, thank you for forgiving me, remembering my sin no more and allowing me to have right standing with you again. In Jesus' name, AMEN.
