One of the primary factors that distinguishes you from the world is love—love for Jesus, your fellow believers, your neighbor, and even your enemies. It's an undeniable marker. In the scriptures, these qualities are referred to as fruits. The exclusive route to foster a closer bond with the Father is by permitting the Holy Spirit to cultivate within you a spirit of prayer and love. The Son's love accomplished salvation, the Father's love paved the way for redemption, and the love instilled by the Holy Spirit is what yields the fruits essential for a deeper journey.
This theme resonates throughout the scriptures, finding a powerful expression in Paul's letter to the Colossians. In this epistle, he underscores the importance of continual prayer for one another and serves as a reminder of the profound love embodied by Jesus. Here is a snippet from Colossians 1:9-14 (NKJV):
9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and [c]conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption [d]through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
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To allow the Holy Spirit to teach you how to love better, consider the following steps:
Prayer: Begin your journey with prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide and shape your heart, revealing areas where love can grow.
Study Scriptures: Delve into the Scriptures, particularly passages that emphasize love, such as 1 Corinthians 13. Meditate on these verses, seeking to understand and internalize the qualities of love described.
Reflect on Jesus' Example: Study the life of Jesus and how He demonstrated love in various situations. His sacrificial love, compassion, and forgiveness provide a profound model for us to follow.
Practice Forgiveness: Forgiveness is a crucial aspect of love. Allow the Holy Spirit to help you release grudges and resentments, fostering an attitude of forgiveness.
Cultivate Compassion: Develop empathy and compassion for others. Seek to understand their perspectives and struggles. The Holy Spirit can soften your heart and increase your capacity for compassion.
Serve Others: Actively engage in acts of kindness and service. Look for opportunities to meet the needs of others, reflecting the selfless love modeled by Jesus.
Listen to the Spirit: Pay attention to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. He may guide you in specific actions or attitudes that contribute to a more loving character.
Community Involvement: Engage with a community of believers who prioritize love. Surrounding yourself with a supportive community can encourage and challenge you on your journey.
Continuous Growth: Understand that the process of learning to love better is ongoing. Embrace a mindset of continuous growth and improvement, allowing the Holy Spirit to refine and transform you over time.
Remember, cultivating love is a lifelong journey, and the Holy Spirit is your ever-present guide and teacher in this process.
Feel free to explore more content from Chris Garcia:
Weekly stream/uploads on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChrisGarcia.
Weekly Podcasts on: Apple, Spotify, and iHeart Radio. and weekly blogs like the one above.
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