Our last day in this study has arrived. I hope it has been edifying to you and that you will continue to add the characteristics Peter mentions to your faith your whole life. It is absolutely a life-long battle, race, fight, adventure...
Today I want to focus on the ultimate example of love.
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
There are so many good principles in these two verses that we should apply to our lives.
1. Love acts. It sees a problem that can be fixed and does what it can to fix it.
2. Love is selfless. It gives whatever is needed without thought of reward.
3. Love has a purpose. It works to save others - not enable, but save.
4. Love is honest. To really see the problem, it has to be honest. No sugar-coatings here.
5. Love can cause the giver pain.
6. Love is based on what is real. This is related to being honest, but the honesty is based on God's Word, not feelings or culture or society's view of what is best.
I'd love for you to share any other insights you see here. When I stop to think about what love really is, I see a clearer picture of who God really is; and I am humbled and amazed at His essence. And this good God loves you and me. He is willing to do whatever it takes to save you and me from an awful destination except take away our free will. He not only loves us, but shows us how to love both Him and those around us. When this becomes our ultimate motivation, fuel, anchor, and focus it is no wonder that Peter says we will be guaranteed an entrance into heaven.
Your assignment for today:
Share a time when you experienced unconditional love from someone and tell how it affected you.
Friday, May 3, 2013
Thursday, May 2, 2013
May 2
Today let's think about some of the hard parts of love. Of course there is the aspect of doing what is best for a person you find annoying or who actually is an enemy. That can be hard. But today I'm thinking more of loving confrontation. For me this is a challenging thing.
15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’[b] 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. (Matthew 18)
Yep. There it is in black and white (or red in a red-letter edition). Part of love is confronting a brother or sister when they have wronged me. And if she won't repent, I can't stop there. I have to follow through with more confrontation.
Now why is that so hard for me? I think maybe because I don't love enough. It should never be a joyful thing, and maybe it should always be a little hard, but if my focus is on her good - on her eternal salvation - it would be easier. When my focus is on myself it is hard.
For some it is the opposite. BECAUSE their focus is on themselves, they are ready to fight to protect whatever rights they see as being threatened. For them another passage in the same chapter tempers their attitudes:
Assignment for today:
Give an example of what some call "tough love" and how you should deal with it. Apply the passages above.
15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’[b] 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. (Matthew 18)
Yep. There it is in black and white (or red in a red-letter edition). Part of love is confronting a brother or sister when they have wronged me. And if she won't repent, I can't stop there. I have to follow through with more confrontation.
Now why is that so hard for me? I think maybe because I don't love enough. It should never be a joyful thing, and maybe it should always be a little hard, but if my focus is on her good - on her eternal salvation - it would be easier. When my focus is on myself it is hard.
For some it is the opposite. BECAUSE their focus is on themselves, they are ready to fight to protect whatever rights they see as being threatened. For them another passage in the same chapter tempers their attitudes:
21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
Assignment for today:
Give an example of what some call "tough love" and how you should deal with it. Apply the passages above.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Wednesday, May 1
Today's assignment is simple. Think about the women in the Bible you have studied in the past. Choose one example of this kind of love in one of their lives. Share this with the group.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Tuesday, April 30
Yesterday I challenged you to tell us the difference between brotherly love and love as used in 2 Peter 1:7. Here is what I found.
We discussed brotherly love last week. It is a compound word in Greek - literally could be translated love of the brother, or brotherlove. The love part of the word used is the love that means affection. It's a love that comes from being family. In a sense it is kind of earned. Sort of. I love you because we are family. I like to be with you. I feel affection for you as a family member. Now if you did not have a great family, that might actually be a challenging concept, but I think you can understand the idea.
This week's "love" is a different kind of love. This week's love is a love that is not earned. Here are some comments from Vine:
Love can be known only from the actions it prompts. God's love is seen in the gift of His Son, 1 John 4:9, 10. But obviously this is not the love of complacency, or affection, that is, it was not drawn out by any excellency in its objects, Rom. 5:8. It was an exercise of the Divine will in deliberate choice, made without assignable cause save that which lies in the nature of God Himself, cp. Deut. 7:7,8....Christian love, whether exercised toward the brethren, or toward men generally, is not an impulse from the feelings, it does not always run with the natural inclinations, nor does it spend itself only upon those for whom some affinity is discovered. Love seeks the welfare of all, Rom. 15:2, and works no ill to any, 13:8-10; love seeks opportunity to do good to all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith, Gal. 5:10.
So what does that look like in a woman's life? Read the following verses and think about this concept of love.
3 Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. 3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 5 For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.
I had a hard time choosing a woman in the Bible that exemplified this kind of love. No one does it perfectly, of course. But today I want to look at how this love looks in a married woman's life and extend that out to any woman's life. A married woman is to be like Sarah - submissive to her own husband, obeying him, giving him respect, and not being afraid. This can truly be an example of love when your husband is maybe not what he should be. Understand that I am not talking about an abusive or fornicating husband, but one who is just not perfect. The godly wife chooses to submit and respect him anyway. How can she do that? She understands what love means. She understands how God loves HER. She has a gentle and quiet spirit because of God's love, and she can reflect that on to those around her.
Now let's look at the whole context of this passage from the viewpoint of this kind of love. Why are wives told to be submissive? They can bring their husbands to obedience to God with this powerful attitude. That is love. Why is a gentle and quiet spirit so very precious in God's sight? Again, it brings others to God. It allows a woman to think with her head instead of just with her emotions. She can look at her situation, determine exactly what the problem is, and figure out just what biblical principle applies to solve it. She doesn't have to be afraid because she trusts in God and knows His love. Her tank doesn't run dry because she stays plugged in to her power source.
A woman who is not married does not have quite the same submission issues, although we all have to submit to someone. But still, that attitude of service and quietness does the same thing to those around her - brings them to God. I know a woman who was involved in some counseling with her husband for some addiction issues he was facing. When asked by the counselor what it meant when his wife said, "I love you," he thought and then truthfully responded that he did not know. He had never experienced unconditional love before he married her. He didn't understand why her family liked him. The counselor explained to the wife that at this point her husband was probably incapable of accepting and understanding God's love without her help. She had to be the example of unconditional love for him. Through her love, he could come to accept God's love. She had to stop saying, "I love you" for a time and start saying, "I like you." That was something he COULD understand. In time, with her patience and his continued study and effort, he did come to accept God's love for him and today is a faithful member of the Lord's family. Do you see what a powerful thing love is? Do you understand the influence you have? God can use your unconditional love to save souls. You become a picture of your Father to those who would otherwise not understand.
Your assignment for today:
1. Read 1 Corinthians 13. Make a list of what love looks like. I know you have probably done this at some point in the past, but do it again.
2. Have an interview prayer time with God about what you have read. Ask Him to show you the ways you can improve in your love for those around you and give you the strength you may need to do so.
3. Post "Done" when you have completed this assignment.
We discussed brotherly love last week. It is a compound word in Greek - literally could be translated love of the brother, or brotherlove. The love part of the word used is the love that means affection. It's a love that comes from being family. In a sense it is kind of earned. Sort of. I love you because we are family. I like to be with you. I feel affection for you as a family member. Now if you did not have a great family, that might actually be a challenging concept, but I think you can understand the idea.
This week's "love" is a different kind of love. This week's love is a love that is not earned. Here are some comments from Vine:
Love can be known only from the actions it prompts. God's love is seen in the gift of His Son, 1 John 4:9, 10. But obviously this is not the love of complacency, or affection, that is, it was not drawn out by any excellency in its objects, Rom. 5:8. It was an exercise of the Divine will in deliberate choice, made without assignable cause save that which lies in the nature of God Himself, cp. Deut. 7:7,8....Christian love, whether exercised toward the brethren, or toward men generally, is not an impulse from the feelings, it does not always run with the natural inclinations, nor does it spend itself only upon those for whom some affinity is discovered. Love seeks the welfare of all, Rom. 15:2, and works no ill to any, 13:8-10; love seeks opportunity to do good to all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith, Gal. 5:10.
So what does that look like in a woman's life? Read the following verses and think about this concept of love.
3 Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. 3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 5 For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.
I had a hard time choosing a woman in the Bible that exemplified this kind of love. No one does it perfectly, of course. But today I want to look at how this love looks in a married woman's life and extend that out to any woman's life. A married woman is to be like Sarah - submissive to her own husband, obeying him, giving him respect, and not being afraid. This can truly be an example of love when your husband is maybe not what he should be. Understand that I am not talking about an abusive or fornicating husband, but one who is just not perfect. The godly wife chooses to submit and respect him anyway. How can she do that? She understands what love means. She understands how God loves HER. She has a gentle and quiet spirit because of God's love, and she can reflect that on to those around her.
Now let's look at the whole context of this passage from the viewpoint of this kind of love. Why are wives told to be submissive? They can bring their husbands to obedience to God with this powerful attitude. That is love. Why is a gentle and quiet spirit so very precious in God's sight? Again, it brings others to God. It allows a woman to think with her head instead of just with her emotions. She can look at her situation, determine exactly what the problem is, and figure out just what biblical principle applies to solve it. She doesn't have to be afraid because she trusts in God and knows His love. Her tank doesn't run dry because she stays plugged in to her power source.
A woman who is not married does not have quite the same submission issues, although we all have to submit to someone. But still, that attitude of service and quietness does the same thing to those around her - brings them to God. I know a woman who was involved in some counseling with her husband for some addiction issues he was facing. When asked by the counselor what it meant when his wife said, "I love you," he thought and then truthfully responded that he did not know. He had never experienced unconditional love before he married her. He didn't understand why her family liked him. The counselor explained to the wife that at this point her husband was probably incapable of accepting and understanding God's love without her help. She had to be the example of unconditional love for him. Through her love, he could come to accept God's love. She had to stop saying, "I love you" for a time and start saying, "I like you." That was something he COULD understand. In time, with her patience and his continued study and effort, he did come to accept God's love for him and today is a faithful member of the Lord's family. Do you see what a powerful thing love is? Do you understand the influence you have? God can use your unconditional love to save souls. You become a picture of your Father to those who would otherwise not understand.
Your assignment for today:
1. Read 1 Corinthians 13. Make a list of what love looks like. I know you have probably done this at some point in the past, but do it again.
2. Have an interview prayer time with God about what you have read. Ask Him to show you the ways you can improve in your love for those around you and give you the strength you may need to do so.
3. Post "Done" when you have completed this assignment.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Monday, April 29
This is our last week in this study. I hope you have been edified by the time you spent here.
Love. This is the goal of all our diligence - to love as God loves, to love as God is. Just what is this kind of love?
Today's assignment:
Find a definition of the word translated "love" in this 2 Peter 1.
Explain how it is different from "brotherly kindness."
Love. This is the goal of all our diligence - to love as God loves, to love as God is. Just what is this kind of love?
Today's assignment:
Find a definition of the word translated "love" in this 2 Peter 1.
Explain how it is different from "brotherly kindness."
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