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Scripture Reference: Gospel of John 12: 1-7, Matthew 26: 6-13, Mark 14: 3-9
Discussion Point 10: “We sometimes forget that doing what we could means living loved…But when our action arises out of a relationship of love, stunning possibilities emerge. Fear fades into the background. Options grow. Choices flow. Suddenly we know-and so we go.” – Elisa Morgan, page 68
In the chaos, uncertainly, and unexpected difficulties that sometimes plague our lives (and have been identified in this chapter), there is a greater need to rely upon the word of the Lord (the Holy Bible). In spite of these things we can choose to “live loved.” Watch how this circle works:
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whosoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:16, New International Version (NIV)
How do we know that God is love?
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son [Jesus] that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3: 16, NIV
How should we respond to the love that God has shown to us? First, with a hearty “Yes” and “Amen” (I agree and accept). Secondly, by loving God back. How do we show our love for God?
Jesus speaks: “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” John 14: 15, NIV
What does God command?
Jesus speaks: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30, NIV
(We’ll talk a lot more about the “neighbor” thing at a later date, but I address it briefly here.)
How do we know if we love our neighbor?
“This is how we know that we love the children of [or the people of] God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. This is love for God: to obey his commands.” 1 John 5: 2-3a, NIV
We are to love God with our entire being, with all of the good and not so good parts of ourselves, and with all of the unique experiences that God has given us. Our love for him should be evident in how we lovingly interact with others. Loving God and loving our neighbor goes hand in hand – there is no separation of these two truths. We have God as our example; therefore, we should not fret or shy away from loving others. God expressed his love for us by giving in only a manner that he could. Yet, we have ways that we can give of ourselves and offerings that we can make. If we observe and listen, we will see that there are unlimited ways to invest in the lives of others. Wouldn’t that be a biblical way to show our love of God, and reveal his love to our neighbors?
“What would it mean for you to do what you could? You, the child of ______, or sibling of __________, or the spouse of ___________, or the parent of __________, or the grandparent of ____________.
What do you bring to this world in the offering of you?”
A SISTA'S JOURNEY 