(Day 2 – Contemplating Ravi Zacharias’ quotes)
Think for a moment about what and who you love.
I will guarantee you that every item or person you mention is a choice.
Yes, you even choose to love your children, as difficult as that may be to swallow.
The late Ravi Zacharias on shared:
“Love is a commitment that will be tested in the most vulnerable areas of spirituality, a commitment that will force you to make some very difficult choices. It is a commitment that demands that you deal with your lust, your greed, your pride, your power, your desire to control, your temper, your patience, and every area of temptation that the Bible clearly talks about. It demands the quality of commitment that Jesus demonstrates in His relationship to us.”
I, Isaac, Take Thee, Rebekah: Moving from Romance to Lasting Love – Zacharias
Deep, isn’t it?
Zacharias is correct. It seems like everything and everyone we love can be tested at some point in our life and at times we have to make tough decisions whether our love or “our pride, greed, power, temper, patience, etc.” is going to win.
Jesus also mentions how love is reflected in our commitments by reminding us that if we love Jesus we will keep His commandments and obey Him. That’s the greatest example of love. Unfortunately, we find ourselves tempted at times to choose between our love for Jesus or “our pride, greed, power, temper, patience, etc.”
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. …”
John 15:9-17 (ESV)
May God strengthen your commitment to love Jesus Christ with all your heart, mind, body, soul, and strength and to love your neighbor as yourself.
Devotional
Devotional