Prayer Pointers – 23 September 2021
“With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesian 4:2, ESV.
The current pandemic has reminded us that we are called to live responsibly and to love and care for one another. Bestowed with God’s unconditional and bountiful love, we are blessed to bless.
How do we love?
1 Peter 3:8 “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.”
Last week, 1 John told us why we should love. Not for personal gain, or out of obligation, but because that is God’s command to us, to love others as Jesus loved us.
Today’s verse deals with what that love should look like. Agreeability with each other, sympathy and understanding, compassion and humility. Key traits in the love that we Christians should exhibit to everyone around us, no exceptions.
In the context of the verse, Peter says that this love should be shown to those who oppose us and are evil, and to repay evil with blessings. 1 Peter 3:17 “For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”
This is the kind of love and understanding we are to show to everyone, for it falls upon us to be blessings during times of evil.
Prayer Pointers – 16 September 2021
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God”. Ephesian 5:1-2, – ESV.
To imitate God is to be Christlike in our being and doing. Nothing delights Him more than seeing His beloved children act redemptively and sacrificially like Christ did in reaching out and loving others with the gospel.