Pursue Love! (3)

Relationship can’t happen without love. If there's no love, it's not a relationship. It's just two people being in each other's space. Relationship matters to Jesus. In John 14-17 especially, He pointed out the importance of relationships: between Father and Son, between Jesus and us, and our relationships with each other.  

Jesus loved Abba God.

In those chapters, Jesus makes it abundantly clear that He loves His Father, and His actions were an overflow of that love. Their relationship was based in a permanent love that was unstoppable. It makes me wonder...

How well am I loving Abba God and Jesus my Lord?

 

He who loves [family] more than Me is not worthy of Me... - Matthew10:37, NASB

for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me

and have believed that I came forth from the Father. – John 16:27, NASB

…Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?”

 [He asked 3 times] – John 21:15–17, NASB

 

Is most of my obedience driven by moral obligation or a desire to please because I love Him?

 

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God,

to those who are called according to His purpose. – Romans 8:28, NASB

 

because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have

toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints; - Philemon 5, NASB

 

For God is not unjust so as to forget your work

and the love which you have shown toward His name,

in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints. – Hebrews 6:10, NASB

 

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial;

for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life

which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. – James 1: 12, NASB

 

and though you have not seen Him, you love Him,

and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him,

you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory – 1 Peter 1:8, NASB

 

Abba God, thank You for loving me so deeply and more intimately than I can grasp.  Fill me with a desire to love You better this year, to talk with You more, to listen to You more, to cherish your love letter more deeply. In Jesus’ name...