ROMANS 5:1-5 – “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
THEME OF THE DAY: THE POWER OF THE GREATER LOVE. Every Christian knows the Christian life is a battle. The Apostle Paul tells us in the great warfare and armor passage in his letter to the Ephesians who are the foes we face and the armor of God to wear . . .
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:10-18).
As the Apostle states who our enemies are, it is important for us to understand their chief area of attack. The battle in the Christian life is for our hearts, or the place of our affections – daily. The devil and his minions seek to replace Jesus on the throne of our hearts. And they don’t necessarily use obvious sinful objects. They attack our hearts with good things, even people, in the attempt to cool our affections for Christ. This battle cannot be overstated. Anytime we put something or someone in the center of our affections replacing Christ, the Bible calls it idolatry and spiritual adultery. So, how do we conquer and defeat such foes and attacks?
The power of Christ’s love, or a greater affection to suppress other affections. This doesn’t mean we don’t have affections for the good things and people in our lives. No, it means recognizing today’s scripture and the pouring into our hearts the love of God by His Spirit who reminds us of the awesome power of Christ’s love in us. The 17th century Scottish preacher and theologian, Robert Leighton, once said, “It is the powerful love of Christ which kills the love of sin, and kindles the love of holiness in the soul.”
So, the application becomes prayer – “Lord, show me more of Your love and may I experience its incredible power that keeps me close to Your heart which in turn inflames my heart with love for You that conquers lesser loves.”
PRAYER: Father, let me know in my head and heart the transforming and conquering power of Your love.
REFLECTION: The daily war within the Christian is for the heart – to keep Christ in the center, or allow self to be the center, of our heart.