Love and Power
Love and Power
Love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again—not of perishable seed but of imperishable—through the living and enduring word of God. (1 Pet. 1:22–23)
God’s Life in You
Jesus didn’t die on the cross and rise again just to call you to an improved version of your presaved life. He calls you to a whole new life, a “born again” one. God planted His life in your soul like a seed into soil. That life brings with it all the qualities of God’s heart: His kindness, compassion, gentleness, honesty, integrity, courage, and love. For the follower of Jesus, love is not simply an action to choose but a divine power to unleash. It is the fruit of the Spirit, not of self-effort. You can’t love others the way God wants them to be loved by your own power. You need the power of God.
God’s Love through You
Fortunately, you can have the power of God working in your life. Today’s Scripture identifies three sources of His power: (1) God’s Word. When you learn and obey Scripture, you don’t just gather information; you access divine power to love others. (2) God’s Spirit. The Holy Spirit indwells you starting at conversion, and He continues to work in you, conforming you to the image of Christ, producing the fruit of the Spirit in you. (3) God’s life. The “imperishable seed” is Christ in you. He enables you to love people you would otherwise find impossible to love. You can let His love shine through you as you abide in Him.
Bottom Line
You are meant to be a conduit of God’s love to your family, friends, coworkers, and the world.