Stop it God. I can’t take any more of your love. Have you ever said that before? Me neither. However, He has reminded me this morning that His love is flat out overwhelming.
This affirmation is very short but really says EVERYTHING. We read in Galatians 5:14: “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (NKJ)
ONE WORD. Paul has outdone himself in this 5th chapter of Galatians. It is packed full of our lives. With all of that he is clear that ALL THE LAW IS FULFILLED IN ONE WORD. You shall LOVE.
Is it just me or are you also overwhelmed that ONE WORD really is the secret to all things. Because He first loved us we now have that love and that is all we have to give. If we will all just love then all is ok. Why do we complicate things? Yes, but….NO BUTS, JUST LOVE.
Why do we always put parameters and conditions on things? Paul is telling the Galatians to just stop it and love. Don’t get caught up in the law. We have different issues today but we put in the buts. For some reason believers feel we have to toe this line and point out we have to be firm and point out the “laws” of God. No Paul says just love. What does all of that other stuff really matter? Ok I will get off my soap box. I am sure I am not 100% right but I know I am simple and do not enjoy debate but I do love, love.
I really did find myself saying, God I can’t take any more this morning. I arose early to get some work done for a meeting today. I returned to Galatians 5 as I was not able to write due to travel schedule yesterday and have been overwhelmed. FORTY affirmations later I was almost afraid to read the next verse thinking, God, I really have to wrap this up. Is that crazy thinking? My cup is so full of His love and His word this morning I am actually hoping to wrap things up for work??!! Something is wrong with this picture isn’t it? Yet, we, or at least I do this day after day.
Please take this challenge. Go to Galatians Chapter 5 and read it. Let me know if you see yourself in there. Here you will find the fruits of the flesh and of the Spirit. I know I found myself in those verses. I see how my lusts of the flesh can be nailed to the cross and be crucified. I can walk and live in the Spirit and in all of that I find hope and yes, LOVE. Please stop and go and read this masterpiece that is Galatians 5 and tell me just one thing that hits you there. I am interested to see if you can stop at one. Can you share with me one affirmation you find there?
Whether you do this or stop at one, I pray you find love. Do you have it?
I love and I love you. Do you love?
Tom Raines
Christian Affirmations 4 Life
“if you keep on biting and devouring each other watch out, you’ll be destroyed by each other”
This affirmation spoke to me in light of the election coming up. I am continually getting emails from people bashing another political party or candidate. It’s not, I believe, where God wants our focus. How did one political party become the “Christian” party? There are Christ followers on both sides and His love goes above and beyond politics, opinions and EVEN denominations!
If we would simply embrace this affirmation God would be glorified and that’s why we’re here…to glorify Him and praise Him forever…
Okay, I know this isn’t what you had in mind but this is what I thought of when I read it…praying to love beyond my comfort zone today.
Exactly what I had in mind my friend. As a non confrontational I just can’t stomach the entire political process as it has gone from serving out of love of our community or nation to one of power and winning at all costs. Too much evil and lies that I can not even watch those who are supposed to report…all twisted…I will love them in their ways and pray they too love…maybe they do in their own way but seems twisted..
I’m reading it now from The Message. There’s so much good stuff here. I’m seeing my underlinings from a while back, and adding new ones.
“Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.” (Sometimes I put one on myself.)
“When you attempt to live by your own religious plans and projects, you are cut off from Christ, you fall out of grace.”
“It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life….use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows.”
“Why don’t you choose to be led by the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions …” Wow–erratic compulsions.
I love the last sentence. “Each of us is an original.”
Thanks, Tom. So much to think about this morning.
Thank you Julie…SO MUCH in there just overwhelming…LOVE IT! and yes all of us are original and we can love others…although it is tough for them to love us or vice versa!
Thanks for participating!
I don’t even have to go there tom and know I see myself-lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and the pride of life. yep, that about sums me up. I am so grateful for the fruit of the spirit that makes me new. Excellent thoughts this morning.
Thanks Bill, I found so much reminding as I struggle with my flesh that I will nail it to that cross daily and thank Jesus for taking it from me. I just need to be overwhelmed with the love and live in the Spirit!! So much hope there. The Spirit is so alive and I pray to walk with Him! Thank you for sharing Cycleguy!
Tom,
I struggle with Love. I know He loves me, for sure. I know He loves me so much He gave His only Son so that I could know Him, (The Father), through the New Covenant.
But I struggle with Love. I do.
Don’t get me wrong– I am not some heartless ogre who walks about with a perpetual frown and anger on his lips. Not at all. But Love…well, it is definitely the thorn in my side.
It is so easy to BE loved than it is to SHOW love. At least for me. I reckon I simply need to seek The Spirit about this. Your post convicted me, Tom.
Thanks!
Donald it slapped me too. May we walk and live in the Spirit and be filled with His love.
I appreciate your honesty!
I realize God speaks to us in many ways however, after reading your affirmation Tom, I picked up the book I have been reading and the next page was… “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such, there is no law. Galatians 5:22:23
I am so thankful for God’s love because it has given me new life. In my experiences, I know God’s love has a way of never giving up on us and always pushing through our “junk”. I always say… “I am a work in progress”. No matter my age, God is constantly working on me because He loves me. Thanks Tom for reminding me of God’s love for me.
Beautiful Jackie. I too am so thankful He did not give up on me. His love is amazing and His timing is amazing too. The scriptures written a couple of thousand years ago showing up the same day you are reading your book to help confirm His love is just awesome. Yes He loves us and may we show His love to others. Thanks!