Love Dare Day #13

Love Dare Day #13

Okay, I'm sure we're all feeling it, this thing is hard! Thirteen days later some of us are feeling like failures. We've uncovered some things about ourselves that we don't like! We can't do this! And we're exactly right! We, in and of ourselves, cannot do this. *We cannot manufacture unconditional love (agape love) out of our own hearts. It's impossible. It's beyond our capabilities. Agape Love is something only God can do. But because of His great love for us He chooses to express His love through us. Over and again we fail in our efforts to love unconditionally. It's this failure that exposes mankind's sinful condition. We've all sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Rom. 3:23). You can't give what you don't have. Love that is able to withstand every pressure is out of your reach as long as you're only looking within yourself to find it . You need someone who can give you that kind of love. "Love is from God"(1 John 4:7). And only those who have allowed Him into their heart through faith in His Son, Jesus-only those who have received the Spirit of Christ through belief in His death and resurrection- are able to tap into Love's real power. "Apart from me " Jesus said, " you can do nothing (John 15:5). But He also said, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you" (John 15:5). God has promised through Christ to dwell in your heart through faith so that you can "know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God" ( Ephesians 3:19).

Perhaps you've never given your heart to Christ, but you sense Him drawing you today. You may be realizing for the first time that you, too, have broken God's commands, and that your guilt will keep you from knowing Him. Scripture says that if you repent by turning away from your sin and turning to God, He is willing to forgive you because of the sacrifice His Son made on the cross. He is pursuing you, not to enslave you but to free you, so you can receive His love and forgiveness.

Perhaps you're already a believer, but you would admit that you have walked away from fellowship with God. You're not in the Word, you're not in prayer, maybe you're not even in church anymore. The love you used to feel coursing through your veins has dwindled into apathy. The truth is you can't live without Him and you can't love without Him. But there is no telling what He could do in your life if you put your trust in Him.

Look back over the previous dares. Were there some that seemed impossible to you? Have you realized your need for God to change your heart and give you the ability to Love? Ask Him to show you where you stand with Him and ask for the strength and grace to settle your eternal destination. Give your life to Him today- for the first time or recommit it to Him once again.*

*excerpt take from the Love Dare by Stephen and Alex Kendrick.