Day 21 “Reflection”

Tonight was spent reflecting on the greatest love anyone has ever had for me – the love of Christ. Jesus lived a perfect life and became the sacrifice paying the price for my sins – death on the cross. But not just His death, but His resurrection completing the work of the Father.

It saddens me to think that I helped cause the pain and suffering that led Jesus to the cross. And yet, as a believer, the Holy Spirit begins to fill my heart with the love and grace that Jesus so freely gives. Sadness is then replaced by joy and a peace that transcends all understanding. Experiencing Agape (sacrificial love) love not only brings tears of joy to my eyes but fills my heart with gladness because of a God who so loves me that He sent His only son to die for my sins so that I could come back to Him in fellowship.

But, it doesn’t stop there. Sharing Agape love with all those around me brings even more joy into my life. After all, it is the second commandment that Jesus gave to the Pharisees in Matthew 22:34-40 when they had ask Him what was the greatest commandment. “The first and greatest commandment,” Jesus said,  “is to love God with all of hearts, minds and strength and the second is like it, to love your neighbor as yourself.”

I cannot do this Agape love – to love others as God has loved me with grace and forgiveness – on my own strength. I need Jesus and the Holy Spirit to empower me. This can only happen when I first make the choice to do so, and I choose to love people the way Christ has loved me. Yes, that opens myself up to be hurt or taken advantage of, but the rewards are great for those whom I can reach for the glory of God.

I want to be a well-spring of blessings for those around me – not for me, or by me, but by the strength of the Lord. Will I be perfect? No. But I press on in the forgiveness of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Daily growing in his sanctifying love and power moving toward perfection.

This is my purpose in life – to glorify God and his son Jesus Christ.