Main Scriptures: 1John 2:15
More Scriptures: Jn.3:16, Matt.9:36, JN.15:16
You would observe that in the last two days, we have been teaching on the love of God towards you and me as heads of our families. And how His love working in us helps us to demonstrate the virtues of His love to our sheep in their weakest moments. So, today, I want to share another truth from First John chapter 2 and verse 15. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the LOVE OF THE FATHER is not in him (1Jn.2:15).
Until the 23rd of June 2020, I had not come to the realization and revelation of the difference between the love of the Father and love for the Father. I was listening to a man of God teaching on the difference and afterwards new insight dawn on me. When you come to truly know and believe the love of the Father for you, you would be restrained from doing what is wrong to our wife and children. It is the love of the Father that challenges you to love our sheep as Christ has loved the Church and gave Himself. While the love for the Father is all about what you do, the love of the Father is all about what God did for you inspite of your failings and weaknesses. He did not consider your past wrongs nor judge you according to your sin.
That is the attitude and the spirit that God wants you to have towards your wife and children. He wants you to love your sheep as the Father has loved you. Your sheep are not perfect. They will make mistakes either willingly or without knowing. In whatever way they slip, let the love of God reign supreme in your heart and let it drive your decision and actions towards them. Consider what the Bible says in Rom. 12:21. Be not overcome of evil but overcome evil with good (Rom.12:21).
But for you to demonstrate the love of the Father to your wife and children, you must first be filled with His love in your heart. And you do this by acknowledging in your heart that God loves you, inspite of your imperfection and failings. If you do not accept His love, it becomes hard for you to give it to your sheep because God is love. Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God and everyone that loveth is born of God and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God, for GOD IS LOVE. Therefore, see God as a loving Father, who gave you Jesus Christ, as the perfect example of the good and godly husbandman so that through His love for you, you can extend same to your wife and children and cover their several weaknesses and failures.
SPIRITUAL EXERCISE
- Father, by Your Spirit, pour upon me the spirit of genuine service to my wife and children.
- Father, by the power in the blood of Jesus Christ, deliver me from past guilts and errors.
- Father, by the power in the blood of Jesus Christ, empower me to see You as You are and make me to reflect Your love to my wife and children.
FAITH CONFESSION
I accept the love of the Father and by it I extend same to my wife and children when they fail me because that is what makes the good and godly husbandman in Jesus name. Amen.
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