Listen to this devotion
Living in the Spirit … Enables Me to Love
In the Word
To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance (Jude 1b–2).
Of the Word
… the fruit of the Spirit is love … (Galatians 5:22).
Jude wishes mercy, peace, and love for his readers: the mercy that shows God's compassion toward us, the peace that comes from trusting Him, and love. God's love is different from the worldly definitions of love. God's love is a never-ending love that He freely lavishes upon us … even on our most unlovable days. He is able to love us at our best and at our worst because God is love (1 John 4:16b).
Love is God's gift: This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us (1 John 3:16a).
We won't be recognized as Christians by our clothing or a piece of cross-shaped jewelry worn around the neck. But we will be known as Christians by the love that pours freely from our hearts toward others. Alone we are unable to give this kind of love but because the Holy Spirit lives in us, we are able to put into action Christ's command: "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another" (John 13:34b).
Walking with my Lord
Lord, forgive the times I have not been gracious to those who have needed my love. You have given me a great example of love in Your Son, Jesus. Help me to follow it. In His name I pray. Amen.
Mustard Seed: Living in the Spirit. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Dcs. Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 21/30 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
