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Day 3

Let all that you do be done in love.

1 Corinthians 16:14

The Highest Purpose

Even though everyone has a God-given purpose in life, yet there is a higher purpose, that is, to love. Even though there are specific things God has assigned for you to do, the motivation behind doing them should be love. Once you find out God’s will and purpose for your life, you must do it out of love, not out of obligation, or for greatness, or any other motive. You must do it because you love God and want to make him happy; and you must do it because you love the people that will be affected as a result of you fulfilling your purpose.

If you carry out God’s plan without the love motif, God’s purpose will be accomplished, but you won’t reap spiritual benefits from it. The apostle Paul puts it best in 1Corinthans 13:3, “If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.”

God is love (see 1 John. 4: 8). In order to conform to God’s image, our capacity to love must increase progressively. Most of us begin the journey of love by only loving those who love us, and those who are lovely. As we progress in our walk with God, we start adopting more and more of His love nature, until we become just like Him, in being able to love even those who don’t deserve our love. Jesus said, “Love your enemies.” (Matthew 5: 44)

One main sign of spiritual growth is that you notice your capacity to love has increased. Many Christians mistake their increase in biblical knowledge or having spiritual experiences, with spiritual growth. You have grown spiritually if you have become more Christ-natured. Christ’s nature centers around two things: holiness and love. If you only strive for holiness and not for love, you become self-righteous and judgmental. Holiness and love must grow side-by-side.

Prayer or Reflection:

Lord, forgive me for doing any works with any motivation other than love. Impart to me unconditional Christ-like love. Help me to love even my enemies. Let love be the motivation for everything I do

Amen

Suggested Scripture Reading for today: 1Corinthians 13:1