And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
Romans 5:5 (NLT)
Before receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the disciples relied on their natural strengths to love Jesus. Unfortunately, their strengths failed them (Matthew 26:31-56). After the Holy Spirit came upon them on Pentecost, the disciples were radically transformed. For instance, Peter received supernatural courage to openly talk about Jesus despite the cost (Acts 2:14).
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of love empowering believers to count it all joy when persecuted for the sake of the gospel. With the Holy Spirit, obeying God becomes a delight because the Spirit helps us understand the love of God. As we begin to understand the depth of God’s love for us, we go through a process of transformation and respond to God’s love by keeping His commandments.
When we love someone, we spend time with them, think about them, and seek to do right by them. In like manner, we can grow in love with God and express our love for God by spending time with God through prayer and Bible study, living God-conscious, and seeking to do what is right in God’s eyes. Thank God for the Holy Spirit, we do not have to navigate loving God in our strength; we will fall short or become self-righteous when we try to love God in our strength.
Remember, Love is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). We must grow in our relationship with the Holy Spirit if we really want to love God, love one another, and practice true self-love.
For this reason [grasping the greatness of this plan by which Jews and Gentiles are joined together in Christ] I bow my knees [in reverence] before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ], from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name [God–the first and ultimate Father]. May He grant you out of the riches of His glory, to be strengthened and spiritually energized with power through His Spirit in your inner self, [indwelling your innermost being and personality], so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through your faith. And may you, having been [deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love, be fully capable of comprehending with all the saints (God’s people) the width and length and height and depth of His love [fully experiencing that amazing, endless love]; and [that you may come] to know [practically, through personal experience] the love of Christ which far surpasses [mere] knowledge [without experience], that you may be filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that you may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself]. Ephesians 3:14-19 (AMP)
If today was your last day on earth, do you know where you will spend eternity? Are you sure you will make it to heaven? If you are not sure, you need to give your life to Jesus Christ. Please say the prayer below and let me know about it here.
Say this: Heavenly Father,
I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe you exist and you sent Jesus to die for me. I receive your love and forgiveness. Reveal yourself to me. I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Amen
Welcome to God’s family!
Author: Temi Michael-O
Temitope Michael-Olaniran (Fafore) is a wife and #boymom. She is the author of A Christian Mother’s Creed. She created this space to share spiritual experiences of motherhood, provide emotional support to families and develop a virtual community where Christian mothers can share Biblical viewpoints on parenting and other aspects of life.
As a lifelong learner with a passion for mental health, Temi is a PhD student (Infant and Early Childhood Development specializing in Mental Health and Developmental Disorders). She is a Perinatal, Infant, and Early Childhood Mental Health consultant, Certified New Parent Educator, trained Postpartum Doula, and U.S. Army veteran.
Click here to contact Temi
I love you sweet daughter 🙂
Great post here. God bless you