Love Compels

Let all that you do be done in love.       1 Corinthians 16:14

There was an encampment of refugees from Tajikistan in the middle of the city dump of St. Petersburg, Russia. From old men to children, and everyone in between, the people had constructed shelters of anything they could find. Children wore mismatched shoes found in the refuse, and cooking pots were old buckets or dishpans. Authorities came around regularly to burn them out, but they relocated to unburned portions of the dump and began anew.  

A team of evangelists had been making friends with these Muslim people. On one occasion, a group from the Jesus Film Project set up tents, brought in a generator, and showed the film in Tajik to mostly men and children. The team had also brought food—stew meat, potatoes, carrots, onions, bread, and oranges. They brought clothing and blankets, and basic medical needs as well. While the men watched the film, the women were cooking. To the surprise of the team, at the end of the film’s showing, the women invited them to “stay for dinner!” There was love in action that day—and it flowed on both sides. 

Today’s verse sounds so simple: “Let all that you do be done in love.” Love is the issue. Love requires action. Paul wrote, “For Christ’s love compels us” (2 Corinthians 5:14, NIV). The Lord’s love is compelling, guiding, and urging you on. If His love for you does not inspire you to compassion, understanding, and action, you may want to check your spiritual temperature. Ask God for a greater abundance of His supernatural love to flow from you each day. Pray for love to be the motivator for believers serving in Congress. 

Today’s Verse: 1 Corinthians 16:14

Let all that you do be done in love. 

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Psalm 36:5-12

Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, 
    your faithfulness to the clouds. 
6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; 
    your judgments are like the great deep; 
    man and beast you save, O Lord. 

7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God! 
    The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. 
8 They feast on the abundance of your house, 
    and you give them drink from the river of your delights. 
9 For with you is the fountain of life; 
    in your light do we see light. 

10 Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you, 
    and your righteousness to the upright of heart! 
11 Let not the foot of arrogance come upon me, 
    nor the hand of the wicked drive me away. 
12 There the evildoers lie fallen; 
    they are thrust down, unable to rise. 

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.


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