Spiritual Growth / Love

  • The Peace and Purity of the Church

    Ephesians 6:23–24

    Take time today to read back through Ephesians and thank God for what we have learned. Ask Him to make you more loving and more willing to stand for the essential truths of the Christian faith. Also, ask Him that ...Read More

  • The Priority of Love

    1 Corinthians 13:1-3

    Consider whether you make love a priority this day. Are you zealous to preach the gospel and defend truth because you like to win arguments, or are you motivated primarily by love for lost people? Is it more important to ...Read More

  • The Priority of Love

    1 Corinthians 13:1–3

    Though we believe speaking in tongues and the gift of prophecy ceased with the end of the apostolic age, the many spiritual gifts and offices God still gives His people today can still be used in an unloving manner. One ...Read More

  • The Sheep and the Goats

    Matthew 25:31–46

    We actually serve the Lord when we do simple acts of service for one another. It does not take much effort to make a meal for new parents or a family who has recently lost a loved one. A call ...Read More

  • The Standard of Perfection

    Matthew 5:43–48

    John Calvin also writes regarding today’s passage: “Christ assures us, that this will be a mark of our adoption, if we are kind to the unfaithful and evil.” Just as God’s love for His enemies does not mean ...Read More

  • The Wellspring of Love

    Romans 5:1-11

    Sin, ultimately is a failure to love ordinately. Either we fail to love enough, as when we mistreat others, or we love too much, as when we elevate love of God’s gifts above love of God. Seek always to ...Read More

  • Truth and Hope

    1 Corinthians 13:6-7

    All of us have experienced betrayals in our lives wherein somebody did not keep a promise or otherwise violated our trust. When God calls us to be trusting people, He knows that many will betray us, but that does not ...Read More

  • Truth and Hope

    1 Corinthians 13:6–7

    Scripture speaks of hope as an anchor (Heb. 6:19) because it looks forward to the sure promises of our God. Hope is not merely a desire for something that may not come to pass. All the blessings and glory ...Read More

  • Truth and Love

    2 John 1–3

    Sometimes we can fall into the trap of presenting truth without love. We who are Reformed can be especially guilty of using the doctrines of grace as a club with which we attack people instead of lovingly sharing God’s ...Read More

  • Walking in Christ Jesus

    Colossians 2:6-7

    Discontent in our lives and envy of the blessings of others is the opposite of thanksgiving, and these things threaten to plunge us back into the darkness of sin. John Calvin comments, “Ingratitude is very frequently the reason why we ...Read More

  • Walk in Love

    2 John 4–6

    Are you walking according to the truth, not just by studying the Word but by putting it into practice through concrete deeds of love toward others? Are you treating your neighbor exactly how you would want to be treated? Think ...Read More

  • We Have Come to Know

    1 John 4:16

    We can abide in the love God has for us by using our consciousness of this love to motivate us to avoid temptations to sin. We can abide in the love we have for God by praying at all times ...Read More

  • We Ought To Love

    1 John 4:11–12

    That we can help make God’s love reach its full effect by endeavoring to love one another is just another way the New Testament stresses our role in sanctification. Though we do not play a role in our regeneration ...Read More

  • Wholehearted Love and Service

    Deuteronomy 10:12

    The Westminster Shorter Catechism tells us that man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Yet to glorify and enjoy Him, we must know Him as He is in His holiness, sovereignty, and love. We must ...Read More