How can we increase our "love abound more and more" in daily life? Setting Our Aim: Love That Abounds Philippians 1:9 — “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,” • God defines abounding love as an ever-expanding, informed affection that thinks, discerns, and acts. • Growth is continual; yesterday’s measure of love is never the ceiling for today. Rooted in Christ’s Example • John 15:12-13 — Christ’s command and model: love as He loved, sacrificially. • Ephesians 5:2 — Walking in love is imitating the self-giving of Jesus. • Abide in His person; the vine supplies the sap that produces fruit (John 15:4-5). • Fix eyes daily on the gospel; nothing fuels love like remembering the cross. Fueled by the Word • 1 John 2:5 — Love is perfected as God’s Word is kept. • Psalm 119:11 — Storing Scripture guards the heart against selfishness. Practical steps – Read purposefully: notice every appearance of “love” and its context. – Memorize key love passages (1 Corinthians 13:4-7; 1 John 4:7-12). – Meditate until the truths reshape motives and attitudes. Prayer That Aligns the Heart • 1 Thessalonians 3:12 — Paul prays for love to “increase and overflow.” • 1 John 5:14 — Confidence that requests according to His will are granted. Daily rhythm – Thank God for His love already shown. – Ask specifically for eyes to see people as He sees them. – Intercede for those who challenge you; praying softens resistance and enlarges compassion. Walking in the Spirit • Galatians 5:22 — Love heads the Spirit’s fruit list. • Romans 5:5 — The Spirit pours God’s love into our hearts. Key practices – Confess sin quickly; quenching the Spirit stunts love. – Yield to His promptings to serve, speak, or stay silent. – Expect supernatural capacity beyond natural temperament. Serving One Another Tangibly • 1 John 3:16-18 — Love is verified by deeds, not words only. • Galatians 5:13 — Freedom expresses itself through service. Concrete actions – Meet practical needs: meals, rides, childcare, finances. – Encourage with Scripture-saturated notes or messages. – Invest time: presence often outshines presents. Practicing Forgiveness and Humility • Colossians 3:12-14 — Love binds every virtue in perfect unity. • 1 Peter 4:8 — Love covers a multitude of sins. Habits to cultivate – Release grievances promptly; bitterness suffocates love. – Speak truth with grace, aiming at restoration. – Celebrate others’ successes and gifts without envy. Engaging in Christ-Centered Fellowship • Hebrews 10:24-25 — Stir one another to love and good works. • Proverbs 27:17 — Iron sharpens iron. Ways to connect – Prioritize Lord’s Day gatherings; corporate worship recalibrates hearts. – Join small groups for accountability in loving application of truth. – Seek multi-generational relationships that model seasoned love. Measuring Progress God’s Way • 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 gives the biblical yardstick. Checkpoints – Patience and kindness rising? – Envy, boasting, irritability, record-keeping of wrongs diminishing? – Rejoicing in truth and enduring with hope increasing? Persevering Until the Day of Christ • Philippians 1:6 assures that He who began the work will complete it. • Abounding love today is rehearsal for the perfect love we will share eternally. |
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