THE NEW LIFE :: PUT ON LOVE

AT RHW WE PUBLISH A NEW COLUMN EACH FRIDAY. WE’RE GOING THROUGH FOUR SPECIFIC STUDIES WITH EACH SERIES BEING PUBLISHED ON A DESIGNATED WEEK OF THE MONTH.

In THE NEW LIFE series we’re studying one of my favorite chapters in the Bible: Colossians 3:1-17. As you will see this is a rich chapter full of valuable life transforming lessons. Join me on the third Friday of each month in 2020 for this in-depth Bible study with real world applications.

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. ~ Colossians 3:14

For us to put on love and continually walk in love we must stay close to the only true source of love, God. As we do, the love we receive from God will be extended to those around us.

Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these.” ~ Mark 12:29-31

We are unable to love ourselves or others unless we first love God. And that love for God must be full and complete. Scripture calls for us to love God with ALL our heart, all our mind and all our strength. Unless we surrender our whole self to God as a sacrifice of love we cannot love anyone else.

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. ~ 1 John 4:7-8

Now more than ever people need to know they are loved, cared for, valued and accepted. And the world can’t give us this. In fact when we look around we see the exact opposite every day. Many are completely unaware of God’s love. They imagine God as vague being who wants to punish the world. But God loves the world so much that He sent Jesus to show us that love in human form.

Love is kind and patient,
never jealous, boastful,
proud, or rude.
Love isn’t selfish
or quick tempered.
It doesn’t keep a record
of wrongs that others do.
Love rejoices in the truth,
but not in evil.
Love is always supportive,
loyal, hopeful,
and trusting.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

As we continue to walk with God we will exhibit all the characteristics listed above–the characteristics of God that are shown to us in the life of Christ. Shake off our old worldly habits of thinking and reacting. Renew your mind with God’s word… Walk in forgiveness. Live as a person who has put on love!

Put on Love with this beautiful song by Brandon and Rebekah Fox.

September 18, 2020September 7, 2020

THE NEW LIFE :: BELOVED OF GOD

AT RHW WE PUBLISH A NEW COLUMN EACH FRIDAY. WE’RE GOING THROUGH FOUR SPECIFIC STUDIES WITH EACH SERIES BEING PUBLISHED ON A DESIGNATED WEEK OF THE MONTH.

In THE NEW LIFE series we’re studying one of my favorite chapters in the Bible: Colossians 3:1-17. As you will see this is a rich chapter full of valuable life transforming lessons. Join me on the third Friday of each month in 2020 for this in-depth Bible study with real world applications.

Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. ~ Colossians 3:12-13

As God’s chosen and beloved people we must live in a way that honors our individual value and what Christ has done for us. After all this new life wouldn’t be possible without Christ’s death and resurrection.

Loving Virtues

With our new life wardrobe we are clothed with the virtues of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, given to us through Jesus Christ. Wearing these virtues ables us to bear other’s burdens and forgive their flaws. This allows opportunities to truly show the love of Christ in our everyday life.

Our lives are called to be a response to God’s self-giving love. Every good thing we do in this life — love, forgive, serve — is merely an echo of the love of God. ~ James Bryan Smith

Forgiven to Forgive

When we accept God’s forgiveness we too must be willing to forgive others. With those who are difficult to forgive we may need to meditate on the fact that because Christ has forgiven me completely, I must in turn forgive.

It’s important to stress here forgiveness doesn’t require continuing a relationship with someone who is toxic to be around. At this point we must forgive them, pray for and love them through Christ from a distance.

Beloved Chosen

Sometimes it’s easy to love and forgive others but somehow we can’t do the same for ourselves. For whatever reason we feel unworthy or not good enough to be called God’s beloved. No matter what we believe about ourselves God’s love for us is unstoppable!

YOU ARE THE BELOVED OF GOD!

There is nothing in our present or future circumstances that can weaken his love. There is no power above us or beneath us—no power that could ever be found in the universe that can distance us from God’s passionate love, which is lavished upon us through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One! ~ Romans 8:38-39