Gracious and loving Father, Your word tells us plainly what is required of us: (1) Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength; (2) love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these (Mark 12:30-31).
Therefore, I eagerly pursue and seek to acquire this (agape) love (1 Corinthians 14:1). I make it my aim, my great quest in life: I will do unto others as I would have them do unto me (Luke 6:31). Father, I wish to follow Your ways, and esteem and look upon and be concerned for not merely my own interest, but also for the interest of others (Philippians 2:4) as they pursue their goals. I aim to be strong in the Lord, and in the power of Your might (Ephesians 6:10). I will, on purpose, to make it a practice to please my fellowman, for his good and for his true welfare, to edify him – that is, to strengthen him and build him up in all ways – spiritually, socially, and materially (Romans 15:2). With Your power and wisdom, Holy Father, I want to be used to encourage and edify others (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, we are to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; to bear with one another and forgive whatever grievances we may have against one another. And above everything, to put on love, which binds all virtues together in perfect unity (Colossians 3:12-14). Your Word asks us to love even the stranger who resides among us (Leviticus 19:34). As long as we are fulfilling the Royal Law (as Your Word calls it) – you shall love your neighbor as yourself – we do well (James 2:8).
Father, this is Your next command: that we believe in the name of Your Son – Jesus Christ – and love one another just as Jesus commanded us (1 John 3:23). Jesus’ command – which He gave just before He died for us – was that we love one another; in the same way that He loves us (John 15:12-13). This has been the same message from the beginning: that we should love one another (1 John 3:11). And this is love: that we walk according to His commandment. This is the commandment: that we should walk in love (2 John 5-6).
Father, Your Word tells me love must be sincere, to be devoted to one another in love (Romans 12:9-10). Please teach me to maintain love and justice, and to wait for Your counsel always (Hosea 12:6). Direct me to love truth and peace as Your Word instructs (Zechariah 8:19), but to do all things in love (1 Corinthians 16:14). For in Christ Jesus neither good nor bad [black nor white] means anything, but faith working through love is the only thing that counts (Galatians 5:6).
And help me consider how to stimulate others to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24).
God's Word on That 