CROSS MINISTRIES BRIEF (Christian Resource Outreach Serving the Savior)
QUOTE OF THE QUARTER
“It is my prayer that your love may abound more and more." Philippians 1:9
THEME OF THE QUARTER: Abounding Love
In his book, Desiring God, John Piper wrote, How can we fulfill our responsibility to love "more and more" (1 Thessalonians 4:9-10)? Recognizing that love is an inner disposition of the soul produced only by the Holy Spirit, what can we do to fulfill our responsibility? First, the Spirit of God uses His Word to transform us. If we want to grow in love, we must saturate our minds with Scriptures that describe love and show its importance. First Corinthians 13:1-3, for example, tells us of the emptiness of all knowledge, abilities and zeal apart from love. First Corinthians 13:4-7 describes love in terms of specific attitudes and actions. Romans 13:3-10 describes love in terms of fulfilling the Law of God in our lives. The second thing we must do is pray for the Holy Spirit to apply His Word to our hearts and to our daily lives. Paul did not just exhort the Thessalonians
to grow in love; he looked to the Lord to work in their hearts: "May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you" (1 Thessalonians 3:12, NIV). As we see instances in our lives of failing to love, we should confess them to God, asking Him to help us grow in those specific areas. Finally, we must obey. We must do those things that love dictates. We must do no harm to our neighbor (Romans 13:10). We must meet our neighbor's needs and forgive our neighbor's wrongs again us. We must reach out and embrace our brother in Christ, but we must do all this in dependence upon the Holy Spirit who works in us to will and act according to His good purpose.
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