IT’S RIGHTEOUS TO LOVE
(Love—The Righteousness Of God At Work)
TO THE BIBLE: 1 John 4:8-9
“He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.”
LET’S TALK
One sunny afternoon, Liam asked Sarah about her secret to being so full of love for people, even those who were mean to her. He was intrigued by her unwavering kindness towards everyone, including the school bullies. Sarah explained that her understanding of God’s righteousness had transformed her approach to life, emphasising that one cannot truly love without grasping God’s righteousness.
Our opening verse of scripture says, “God is love” (1 John 4:8). He is love because it is righteous to love. The love of God is His righteousness at work. Why does God love? It’s because of His righteousness. If there’s no object of love, love can’t be expressed. Moreover, you can only express love to a being that can receive and reciprocate love. So, the righteousness of God causes the nature of love to emanate
from Him and be expressed by Him.
Love that is inactive is not love. Wherever the righteousness of God is manifested, the love of God is experienced. Therefore, when you see a brother or a sister who’s not walking in love, it’s because they don’t understand the righteousness of God. And because they don’t understand it, they’re not living in it. Their challenge with love begins with their very relationship with God, not even with the person or people they have trouble with.
The more you know the Lord, the more you understand His righteousness, and the more His love is reflected back to you and from you. Remember what He did: In Christ Jesus, He made you the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21); you’re the expression of His righteousness. If that’s true, how can you not walk in love?
God is love; in other words, that’s who He is; that’s His nature. The same is true of righteousness: God is righteous; that’s His nature. You haven’t matured in Christ until you’re really walking in love, and you will not walk in love until you understand and live in the righteousness of God.
Go Deeper
John 3:16-17; Ephesians 3:17-19
Pray
Dear Father, thank you for guiding me by your sweet Holy Spirit in the way of love, righteousness, and true holiness. The more I know you, Lord, the more I understand and seek the establishment of your righteousness in the earth and in the hearts of men. Thank you for your love that’s revealed in and through me, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading
ONE YEAR
Luke 24:36-53, 2 Samuel 12-14
TWO YEAR
Mark 7:1-13, Numbers 5
Act
Use kind, loving words to address people and help them in any positive way if they require it. If they then ask why you care, tell them it’s God’s righteousness at work in you.
My Notes
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