Your Identity in Christ
• In Christ I become a neighbor who loves at all times.
To be able to love people at all times even when we have been hurt is not something that we will be able to do on our own. It requires the Spirit of God guiding, empowering, strengthening, and directing us.
There's no question Jesus was able to love people at all times. This is a lofty goal, seeking to love in all situations, even where we are not being loved. To see oneself – to identify oneself – as a giver of love no matter the situation is helpful – if not key.
See yourself this way.
It doesn't mean you don't get hurt; it just means that you love even when you're hurt. Your act of loving doesn't negate consequences; it is love in the midst of consequences. Is that not what we would want in the end for ourselves – a golden rule of sorts?
Would we not want, even amid consequences, to be loved rather than hated or ignored?
Let’s reflect the heart of our Father rather than give in to temptations that settle scores or one-up offenders (even hateful offenders).
Prayer Prompt
Ask God to lead your heart to respond to His love rather than other people's offenses, to respond to His mercy rather than other people's lack of mercy. If your heart has reflected an attitude that is unlike His, ask Him to forgive you. Then spend time with Him and let being in His presence affect who you are.
Micro-Meditation Scripture
Psalm 119:41-48 (Waw, 6th letter)
- May your unfailing love come to me, LORD,
your salvation, according to your promise; - then I can answer anyone who taunts me,
for I trust in your word. - Never take your word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws.
- I will always obey your law,
for ever and ever. - I will walk about in freedom,
for I have sought out your precepts. - I will speak of your statutes before kings
and will not be put to shame, - for I delight in your commands
because I love them. - I reach out for your commands,
which I love,
that I may meditate on your decrees.
Micro-Meditation
Teaching or Command of God
Psalm 130:7a
Put your hope in the Lord…
Psalm 130:7b
…for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.
Micro-Meditation
Pondering Point
Can you appreciate a difference between “always obey” the law and “always obey” the spirit of the law?
What might some differences be in your living it out?