Treasuring the Love of Christ

As we journey into the fourth week of this Advent season, a time of waiting and anticipation, we reflect on God's enduring love for us in Christ Jesus—a love that remains steadfast, offering us security and comfort regardless of our circumstances.

The Apostle Paul draws our attention to various trials—troubles, hardships, and persecutions—that may threaten to overshadow our experience of Christ's love for us (Romans 8:35). However, Paul also makes it clear that neither these challenges nor anything else can separate us from the love of Christ. Perhaps you are experiencing personal struggles or overwhelmed by all the pain and sorrow in our world. In these challenging moments, we can find peace in knowing two things: first, the challenges we face, no matter how difficult, cannot separate us from the love of God demonstrated on the cross of Christ. Second, in every challenge we face, we are "more than conquerors," not in our own strength but in the strength of the one who loves us—Jesus Christ.

The joy of Christmas can sometimes be dampened by sadness, uncertainty, and the holiday hustle of shopping, parties, and preparations. However, in Matthew 6:21, we are reminded that "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." The season of Advent invites us to lift our hearts towards heaven, shift our focus away from the temporary treasures of this world, and fix our eyes on the true treasure of Christmas—Jesus Christ.

Today, as we treasure Christ and the inseparable love we have in Him, let us also be intentional about sharing Christ's love with others. This might involve reaching out to someone who might be struggling, volunteering at your local food bank, offering a kind word to a friend, or giving the gift of a smile to a stranger. As we celebrate the birth of Christ and anticipate His return, let us rest in His inseparable love for us.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You that nothing can separate us from Your love for us in Christ Jesus. We pray that in every difficulty, You would enable us, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, to remember that we are more than conquerors through Christ who loved us." As we prepare our hearts to celebrate Your birth, teach us to treasure You above all else. May we actively seek to share Your love with all we meet. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Matisha Dentu, Ph.D., serves as assistant professor for the Regent University School of Divinity.