Live From Love

Would you consider yourself a maths enthusiast or someone who enjoys formulas? Not many of us would say we “enjoy” maths, but sometimes the way we live says otherwise! When it comes to how we live, possibly everyone wants formulas. Let’s try to explain. Sometimes the thought of having clear instructions for our life sounds safe and appealing. For example, live a good life, and things will always go your way, or pray every day, and God will answer your prayers the way you want them answered.

There’s a danger to a life of formulas. We are quick to use the “formulas” to feel better about ourselves while judging those around us for the way they live! The “laws” become the lens we view the world through.

Read Matthew 5:33-48

Sometimes we think God’s laws are like a contract with Him as if we were making a deal, like a formula. What Jesus is laying out here is much bigger than that. His laws are there to point to our hearts. God is looking for people with hearts like His. Our actions will flow out of our hearts!

God’s family, the people who hunger and thirst to be more like Him, have hearts like their Father in heaven and look and act like Him more every day. Instead of living a life of formulas, we can live a life loving our Father, and how we live and act will flow FROM love!! We won’t be trying to earn love and favour by doing things.

Let’s read through today’s verses. Do you think you have time to read through them twice?

First time through the verses, write down the "formulas” you think people believed or the “laws” they were living by.

Second time through, and far more important, write down what you see about our Father’s heart. DANGER! Be careful how you apply what you learn about your Father! The enemy wants to use it to condemn you! A son or daughter’s first response should be awe at how amazing their Father is! Wonder leads to love for our Father. The more we love our Father, the more we will become like Him and live as He created us to be.

End by taking a few minutes to thank our Father for who He is and how He created you to love and serve Him.

Go deep: Ask your Father if there is an area of His heart that He wants you to know today.

Be bold: Ask Him if there are people He wants you to SEE differently. Ask Him to show you how He sees them. What could you do today to bless them?

Memorise it: “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:44-45a NIV