10-3-21 | The Royal Law Of Love
Colossians 1:13 – “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the Kingdom of the Son of His love.”
Jesus is the beloved Son of the Father, but through faith in Jesus Christ, we are beloved sons and daughters of the Most High God.
James 2:8 – “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you do well.”
Galatians 5:14 – “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
John 13:34 – “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”
John 13:35 – “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
How do we live out this royal law of love?
1. RECEIVE HIS LOVE
John 13:34a – “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you.”
In order to receive His love, it is important to believe that He loves us.
Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
John 3:16a – “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son.”
Jeremiah 31:3a – “…Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love.”
FATHER GOD, I RECEIVE YOUR LOVE IN JESUS’ NAME!
2. LOVE WITH HIS LOVE
John 13:34a – “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you.”
How has Jesus loved us?
a. Sacrificially – Jesus laid down His life for us.
John 15:13 – “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
b. Honestly – Jesus speaks truth to us.
John 8:32 – “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Ephesians 4:15 – “But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the Head- Christ.”
c. Continually – Jesus never stops loving us.
1 Corinthians 13:7-8a – “[Love] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, love never fails.”
“Agape Love is a divine love that gives and gives and gives, even if it is never acknowledged, thanked, or responded to.” – Rick Renner
3. REACH OUT IN HIS LOVE
John 13:35 – “By this all will know you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 17:21 – “That they all may be one, as You Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that you sent Me.”
Luke 6:27-28 – “But I say to you who hear; love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.”
Romans 5:5a – “Because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
1 Corinthians 14:1a – “Pursue love.”
Discussion Questions:
1. What are some ways the world’s definition of love is so different than God’s definition of love?
2. Is it difficult for you to receive the love of our Heavenly Father? Why or why not?
3. What are some things that make it difficult for us to love other people?
4. How can we grow in love?
5. What is one step the Holy Spirit is calling you to take to grow in love?
6. Who is one person the Holy Spirit is calling you to love better?