30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 14 25-33 The cost of discipleship 19 Change us…to desire for His love
📖 Luke 14:25-33
10Jan2020 - *Change us…to desire for His love* - _Luke 14:25-33_ - Bible reading: _I Corinthians 13:4-8_
We understood the *first* requirement to be a disciple of Christ, when Jesus said that we have to hate our loved ones. We then looked at the *second* requirement, which is to hate our life. The *third* requirement to be a disciple of Jesus is to deny the self. The *fourth* is to take up our cross daily. The *fifth* is to follow Him. The *sixth* requirement is to abide in Him or in His word. The *seventh* is to bear much fruit. The *eighth* requirement is to love one another as He has loved us. The *ninth* requirement to be a disciple of Jesus is to love our enemies.
We need a constant reminder that we cannot be Christ’ disciples by our own strength. We will fail miserably if we try to do so. Discipleship is a walk in the Holy Spirit.
Let us look at some of the tangible expressions of the love of God that is poured in our hearts.
_I Corinthians 13:4-8 Love suffers long and is kind;_ In spite of everything going contrary, love continues on and does not give up. Love does not get irritated or become impatient.
_love does not envy;_ Love rejoices genuinely, when something good happens to others. _love does not parade itself,_ Love prevents us from positioning and marketing ourselves. _is not puffed up;_ Love will not seek for personal glory or importance.
_(5) does not behave rudely,_ Love will always be gentle and not be upset with people. _does not seek its own,_ Love will not maneuver and manipulate with any personal agenda. _is not provoked,_ Love will handle repeated provocations. _thinks no evil;_ Love will always have thoughts that are good.
Let’s take a breath. Is this possible? Not possible at all…if we try to have this love by our own effort. We need to desperately, fall at the feet of our Lord, desiring Him to fill us with His love.
_(6) does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;_ Rejoices at those things that are good, righteous and holy but detests the things that are against the nature of God. _(7) bears all things,_ Love is able to sustain through all eventualities in life. _believes all things, hopes all things,_ Love believes and hopes, because love is rested in God. _endures all things._ Love is able to endure all challenges in life.
_(8) Love never fails._ This is the bottom line. Love, which is sourced from God, never, ever, fails.
_But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away._ We see Christians, running to God asking for the gift of speaking in tongues or the gift of prophesy or for other gifts. Will we plead with God for the gift of love, which is the greatest of them all?
I suspect…many of us do not want the gift of God’s love. That is why we do not ask God for the gift of love. Will we repent of our hard-heartedness and ask God for the gift of His love?
*Thought to ponder*
```Change me Jesus…to desire for your love.```