OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: SATURDAY 27TH FEBRUARY 2016

THEME: LOVE, THE FULFILLMENT OF THE LAW I

Memorise:

These things I command you, that ye love one another. John 15:17

Read: 1st Corinthians 13:1-3

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Message

The Bible takes the subject of love so seriously that love is equated to the sum total of all the commandments of God. The Bible goes further to say that love is the fulfilment of the law. The use of the word ‘law’ in the New Testament sense, is usually a reference to all the commandments and statutes recorded in the Old Testament and specifically those in the first five books of the Bible known as the books of Moses (Pentateuch). Now, the reality that God equates love to the whole of the Old Testament commandments is a serious food for thought. The Bible in 1st Corinthians 13:1-2 says:

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.”

The above passage speaks clearly about the importance of love and how children of God should view or rate love on the scale of spirituality. Here, God compared some special spiritual gifts of uncommon value to love. Speaking in the tongues of men and angels seems to mean the ability to speak in heavenly tongues and at the same time interpret it in the language of men. This has always been a very rare gift which is highly sought after in the body of Christ, yet, anyone with this rare gift but without love, is described as a sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. In essence, such is viewed by God as a mere noise-maker. Furthermore, the Bible says if one should have the gift of prophecy, understand all mysteries and have all knowledge, even if the person should have enough faith to do great miracles, without love, such a person amounts to nothing in the eyes of God. This simply means that love is the golden rule by which whatever gifts we exhibit and whatever services we offer to God are measured. Therefore, love is the ultimate commandment. Romans 13:10 says:

“Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”

As I always ask my children, do you truly love God? What price have you paid as proof of that love? If you love what you do, it will be easy to do it with all your heart. Love is missing in our fellowship with God today. All you get from some is lip service. This is professing love without backing it up with physical evidence. Colossians 3:23 says, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men”. Your service to God must come from your heart, borne out of love. The service that pleases God is one from the heart rendered in love, as God is love. If you are born again, you have the capacity to manifest agape love. To what extent does this love manifest itself in your life and service? Do you know that faith requires the oil of love to operate effectively? (Galatians 5:6). Add love to your faith and you begin to bask in the glory of God, because He will equally respond out of greater love and your life will never be the same again.

Prayer Point

Father, help me to love You with all my heart in Jesus’ name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: John 1:1-3:15 and Job20:21-30:8

AUTHOR: Pst. E. A. ADEBOYE

Prayer Points On Today's Open Heavens (Saturday February 27th 2016)
LOVE, THE FULFILLMENT OF THE LAW 1 

1.Thank you Father for first loving me, in that, while I was yet a sinner, you died for me.

2.Thank you Father for creating me with the capacity to love You and my fellow human beings.

3.Father, let whatever has created hindrance to my loving you and my fellow humans, be uprooted today, in Jesus' name.

4.Father, help me to love You with all my heart in Jesus’ name.

5.Father, please, shed more of your love abroad through my heart.

6.Father, let every spirit of hatred, vengeance and unforgiveness in my life, be consumed by your fire.

7.Father, give me the ability not only to love those who love me, but also, those who do not show love to me.

8.Father, give me the grace to love my neighbours as myself.

9.Father, help me to do unto others, as I would like them do unto me.

10.Father, give me supernatural power and capacity to fulfil all your commandments on LOVE.

11.Your Personal petitions. (Phil 4:6)
12. In Jesus' name I pray. (Jn 15:16)
13.Thank you Father for answered prayers.(1 Thes 5:18).