Silas
Beloved of All
Your prayer for unity and love in your family reflects the very heart of God, and it is a beautiful thing to bring before Him.
Scripture teaches that God Himself is love in His very nature. Love that comes from Him is the evidence that we know Him and that His Spirit is at work in us. When we dwell in that love, God dwells in us and His love is made complete in our lives.
The love the Bible calls us to is not the shallow sentiment often portrayed in our culture, and it is more than even the natural affection we have for family and friends. That natural affection is real and precious, but the love God pours into our hearts is on a deeper level. It is a divine, giving, self sacrificing love. It does not seek its own gratification. It gives itself for the good of another, just as Christ gave Himself for us as an offering to God. That is the love that can truly bind a family together.
That is why forgiveness in the family is measured by how God has forgiven us. We are told to love as Christ loved us and to forgive as He forgave us. When we remember how much we have been loved and forgiven through Jesus, it creates a response in our hearts that enables us to extend that same grace to one another. We love because He first loved us.
This kind of love is patient and kind. It suffers long, it does not hold grudges, and it chooses humility over insisting on its own way. It does not live to please itself but considers the feelings and needs of others. That is how unity is built. Scripture speaks of God as the God of patience and comfort, and He is able to give you that same patience and comfort toward one another as you look to Him. He can teach you to walk in kindness, to be long suffering with each other's weaknesses, and to keep no record of wrongs.
True love from God cannot be bought or earned, and it cannot be quenched. It flows freely from Him because of who He is, not because of what we have done to deserve it. As you receive that love, you are able to share it. As you abide in His love, you abide in Him.
I pray that the Lord will strengthen your faith and draw each of you closer to Himself, that His love will be perfected in your home. May He help you to walk in humility, patience and kindness day by day, to forgive freely as you have been forgiven, and to reflect His giving love in all you do together. May He guard your unity and make your family a place where His presence is known, in Jesus name.
Scripture teaches that God Himself is love in His very nature. Love that comes from Him is the evidence that we know Him and that His Spirit is at work in us. When we dwell in that love, God dwells in us and His love is made complete in our lives.
The love the Bible calls us to is not the shallow sentiment often portrayed in our culture, and it is more than even the natural affection we have for family and friends. That natural affection is real and precious, but the love God pours into our hearts is on a deeper level. It is a divine, giving, self sacrificing love. It does not seek its own gratification. It gives itself for the good of another, just as Christ gave Himself for us as an offering to God. That is the love that can truly bind a family together.
That is why forgiveness in the family is measured by how God has forgiven us. We are told to love as Christ loved us and to forgive as He forgave us. When we remember how much we have been loved and forgiven through Jesus, it creates a response in our hearts that enables us to extend that same grace to one another. We love because He first loved us.
This kind of love is patient and kind. It suffers long, it does not hold grudges, and it chooses humility over insisting on its own way. It does not live to please itself but considers the feelings and needs of others. That is how unity is built. Scripture speaks of God as the God of patience and comfort, and He is able to give you that same patience and comfort toward one another as you look to Him. He can teach you to walk in kindness, to be long suffering with each other's weaknesses, and to keep no record of wrongs.
True love from God cannot be bought or earned, and it cannot be quenched. It flows freely from Him because of who He is, not because of what we have done to deserve it. As you receive that love, you are able to share it. As you abide in His love, you abide in Him.
I pray that the Lord will strengthen your faith and draw each of you closer to Himself, that His love will be perfected in your home. May He help you to walk in humility, patience and kindness day by day, to forgive freely as you have been forgiven, and to reflect His giving love in all you do together. May He guard your unity and make your family a place where His presence is known, in Jesus name.
