Daily Devotional – ‘In His Footstep’
By Kingdom Support Initiatives (KSi)
October 17th 2023

Still Defining Love

“…Love endures long and is patient and kind…” – I Cor. 13:4 [AMP]

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 13

A definition can offer clarity and bring things into the right perspective. It can help us know what a thing is and what it is not. In the context of our devotional, defining love is defining life! Defining love in the right way is eye-opening – seeing God’s nature from His very own perspective as the Author of love. God is love and love is the source of life. In our Bible reading today, Apostle Paul identified some highly sacrificial activities that in our human understanding, one can easily and quickly assume such activities for love. On the surface, these activities have the form of love but deny the power and nature therein. He identified the character of love. Love is patience, kindness, humility, tolerance, perseverance, self-sacrifice and trustworthiness.

The law of love is the law of service. Love is about making others. It is about rendering service and paying the sacrifice for others to be made. In the making process, we build others to our stature and we desire more for them. Love gives all because it is service-oriented and not lordship. It is about fellowship and genuine relationships. Love is about fellows in the same ship, that is, men and women who choose to serve others. Love-centred mindset understands that the way to greatness is simply to serve others (Mark 10:43-45). Anyone who is love-centred is ready to support people and make them work in the right way for a better tomorrow. Dear friends, God is our perfect example. He gave His only begotten son Jesus CHRIST because He SO loved us. When the Bible says “God SO loved the world…” it speaks of the intensity of God’s love towards humanity. In fact, God loves us, He still seeks fellowship with us. I encourage you to check your life and your relationships. Is your love characterized by the nature of God described in our Bible reading today?

Action Point: Choose to love.

Self-Reflection: Why do I find it difficult to love God and to love others?

Daily Confession: I have the Spirit of God in me, so I love God and love my neighbour as myself and I’m obedient.

Intercessory prayer: Our generation will love God and love our neighbours as themselves.

Hymn: How deep the Father’s love for us,

How vast beyond all measure,

That He should give His only son

To make a wretch His treasure…