Day 20
21 Days of Prayer and Fasting
January 31
LOVING OTHERS
Read: I John 4:7-21
REFLECTION:
I can imagine most of us have heard the statement, “Words, without actions, are meaningless.” If you grew up in church, you may have heard it said, “Practice what you preach.” I remember my parents saying, “Be a person of your word. Always keep your word, even to your own harm.” There are lots ways of to express the same idea, but I think you get the point. Actions demonstrate our words. We see this in Scripture when Jesus washed His disciples’ feet. And our passage today shows us exactly how we should respond to such love, humility, and sacrifice.
When reading Scripture, it’s a good idea pay close attention to things that are repeated. The statement, “God is love” is repeated a couple of times in our text. What John is making perfectly clear is that God is the source of love. John Piper says, “Love belongs to God’s nature. It’s woven into what He is. It’s part of what it means to be God. The sun gives light because it is light. And fire gives heat because it is heat.” What an incredible description. However, that’s not the only statement we see more than once in our text. The command to “Love one another” is also repeated. We love God because He first loved us and our ability to love God and other people comes from God himself. What’s even more remarkable is that God demonstrates his love in and through Jesus Christ. Jesus defines love! So, how do we respond?
Our first response is when we put our faith in Jesus. After that, according to our reading today, we are called to love one another with the same deep, sacrificial love given to us in Christ; that means confessing sins to one another, bearing one another’s burdens, meeting needs, living on mission together, and maybe even washing feet. The point is, when we do this, we reflect close, intimate, biblical community, making the Gospel more believable to those around us (John 17:20-21).
QUESTIONS FOR PERSONAL PRAYER:
Are you loving others like Jesus?
Are you currently walking in community with others?
Are you willing to make the first move towards reconciliation when necessary?
How can you bring healing to those around you?
CORPORATE PRAYER POINTS:
Read: I John 4:7-21
REFLECTION:
I can imagine most of us have heard the statement, “Words, without actions, are meaningless.” If you grew up in church, you may have heard it said, “Practice what you preach.” I remember my parents saying, “Be a person of your word. Always keep your word, even to your own harm.” There are lots ways of to express the same idea, but I think you get the point. Actions demonstrate our words. We see this in Scripture when Jesus washed His disciples’ feet. And our passage today shows us exactly how we should respond to such love, humility, and sacrifice.
When reading Scripture, it’s a good idea pay close attention to things that are repeated. The statement, “God is love” is repeated a couple of times in our text. What John is making perfectly clear is that God is the source of love. John Piper says, “Love belongs to God’s nature. It’s woven into what He is. It’s part of what it means to be God. The sun gives light because it is light. And fire gives heat because it is heat.” What an incredible description. However, that’s not the only statement we see more than once in our text. The command to “Love one another” is also repeated. We love God because He first loved us and our ability to love God and other people comes from God himself. What’s even more remarkable is that God demonstrates his love in and through Jesus Christ. Jesus defines love! So, how do we respond?
Our first response is when we put our faith in Jesus. After that, according to our reading today, we are called to love one another with the same deep, sacrificial love given to us in Christ; that means confessing sins to one another, bearing one another’s burdens, meeting needs, living on mission together, and maybe even washing feet. The point is, when we do this, we reflect close, intimate, biblical community, making the Gospel more believable to those around us (John 17:20-21).
QUESTIONS FOR PERSONAL PRAYER:
Are you loving others like Jesus?
Are you currently walking in community with others?
Are you willing to make the first move towards reconciliation when necessary?
How can you bring healing to those around you?
CORPORATE PRAYER POINTS:
- For God to heal the division in our country.
- For a spiritual awakening within our community.
- For protection over law enforcement and first responders.