Dave's Diary

Over the last three weeks, as we build up towards the start of our Annual Bible Reading Plan, we have reflected on the “Why”. Why should we love God? Why should we love one another? Why should we love our neighbour?

This time next week, we’ll start our 11-month journey through “Everything Jesus Commanded Us.” But for the coming week (our last of this “build up”), we’ll reflect on the “How” – in the sense of “How on earth can we ever get this right?”

Living this life of Jesus-following love is a seemingly impossible task. But it can be done!

First and foremost it CAN be done because we do it in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer before Reading:

Before you read, pray this simple prayer inspired by Psalm 143:10

Teach me to do your will, Lord, for you are my God;
may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. Amen.

Now spend a moment quietly getting focused on the Lord’s presence before you read.

Daily Reading

Romans 5:5

⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (NIVUK)

… The Holy Spirit that was given to us has flooded our hearts with God’s love. (Voice Bible)

As we make our slow journey through Jesus’ commands this year, I have no doubt that each of us will come across certain commands that feel impossible for us to obey. In moments like those, today’s Scripture can be a source of deep assurance

As we have begun to see, in one way or another every command of Jesus falls into one or more of the three “high-level commandments.” None of His commands are given for the sake of some sort of religious activity or ritual. All of His commands have their roots in loving God, and/or loving one another, and/or loving our neighbours. A Jesus-following life is always a life of love, in one way or another.

So today’s verse is wonderfully reassuring. As disciples of Jesus, we never have to rely on our own power to live a life of love. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of love, and through our faith in Jesus we have received the Holy Spirit. With His arrival in our lives, He has flooded our hearts with the supernatural love of God. And this is not only God’s love for us. He has flooded us with God’s love in all its richness.

It is no wonder then that Galatians 5:22 affirms that the “fruit” of the Spirit’s presence in our lives is first and foremost characterised by love. The Holy Spirit is at work within every believer to transform us into a more loving person.

And so whenever we battle to live lovingly towards God or others, we can call on the Holy Spirit for help, and He will enable us to love. He will produce the fruit of love in our lives from the rich well of God’s love within us.

Contemplation:

Please take time to ponder this truth. Turn one or more of these statements over and over in your mind:

• The Holy Spirit lives in me.
• He is the Spirit of Love.
• He has flooded my life with God’s love.
• Whenever I battle to love, I can call on Him for the power to do so.

Holy Spirit, please empower me today and every day, to live a life of Christlike love, towards God and everyone I meet. Amen