Theme of the Week: Encouragement Changes Lives
Bible Verse: “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2
Scripture Reading: John 21:1-25
Echoing the words of an old rock song, you might wonder, “What’s love got to do with it?” Real lasting encouragement can never be expressed to another without communicating it in love. The phrase ‘I love you’ in Western culture often means that I love your body, your appearance, your money, your connections, or at least something that I can see. It is often very superficial – usually the stuff of talk shows or nightly entertainment.
But the love which fuels a mindset, attitude, and life of encouragement permeates far deeper and produces results that last much longer than the ‘love’ of popular culture. Human love is obviously mixed in motive, sporadic in performance, and variable in its results. If it depends on me alone, my love for you will be influenced by the benefits I receive in return. That is true whether it is showing love to my family or to a stranger. In each case, I want to feel good about it and even have others think I am a loving person.
If I really want to be an intentional encourager who inspires others forward and strengthens their heart for lasting accomplishments, I need a love that reaches beyond myself. Because this love must be animate and personal, it is necessary that this love flow from the only One who is beyond ordinary humans like you and me. This requires the love of God. If my dependence is on God, I can love you not only for who you are, but for who you can become. Like the mistake-prone, impulsive disciple Peter, I am also a recipient of God’s love, which gives me the opportunity to grow into my ultimate purpose and destiny.
The majesty or the greatness of God’s love is perfectly balanced. It is both an intentional act that transforms and an emotion that inspires. Love – real love – is not primarily a feeling, but an action. The Hebrew term, chesed refers to the covenant love of God. In reference to God, it means His willingness to bless all who are obedient to Him by faith. It is done not because of our qualifications, but because God chooses to give His very best to us through His son, Jesus. The ultimate act of His love was expressed when He gave His life on a cross so that each one who receives Jesus into their hearts as Savior and director can receive life, now and forever! Chesed love is unconditional – God did not wait for your response to love you. It is sacrificial – God even sacrificed His son for you on the cross. It is without hesitation – God did not and does not hesitate to come to your rescue. It is sensitive and caring – by coming to us on our human level, the infinite God of creation intentionally identifies with us in our every need, and desires to help others through you.
Taken from Majesty in Motion: Creating an Encouragement Culture in All Your Relationships Stewart Brown, © 2009. Used by permission of Word Alive Press. All rights reserved.
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