Advent - Week 2 - Love

God showed how much He loved us by
sending His own Son into the world so that
we may have eternal life through Him;
This is real love. It is not that we loved God,
but that He loved us and sent His Son as a
sacrifice for our sins.
Dear friends, since God loved us that much,
we surely ought to love each other. (1 John 4:9-11, NLT)

Love defines our relationship with the living God.  Love moved the heart of the Father to act on behalf of all His creation.  He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to the earth to rescue us in love and by great sacrifice.  Great love can be talked about; deep, passionate love can be expressed verbally or even written in song and poetry.  But the love that is expressed in action proves that it actually exists.  Romans 5:8 says, “But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  The cross is the ultimate expression of God’s love for us!

Love begins with God, is received from God, and transforms us; the love of God makes us new creations!  This Christmas season, let us reflect on the great love God is giving us in our Savior Jesus Christ.  Let us endeavor not to love as the world loves, based on feelings and emotions, but rather let us love others as God loves us, unconditionally, based on grace and commitment.

Prayer:
LORD, You are the God of Love.  You demonstrated Your love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  We trust in Your unfailing love.  Teach us to love You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Teach us to love our neighbors, to love our enemies, and to do good to all we encounter.  LORD, help us to love with pure hearts fervently, as we live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved us and gave Himself for us.  In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Week 2 Daily Reading:
Mon:    1 John 4:10
Tue:     Eph. 4:2-3
Wed:   Col. 3:12-15
Thu:     John 15: 12-13
Fri:       Ps. 86:12-13,15
Sat:      1 Cor. 13