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Love is the antidote for sin. (by JM)

9/15/2021

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The devotional below was written by John MacArthur...
​“Let all that you do be done in love” (1 Cor. 16:14).

The more you love God, the less you will sin.
Scripture and personal experience teach us that sin always has its consequences. When you harbor unconfessed sin, you dishonor God and forfeit the blessings and joy He desires for you. Prolonged sin might even bring His chastening through pain or illness.
That’s what happened to Corinthian believers who partook of the Lord’s Table in a sinful manner (1 Cor. 11:27-30). Paul warned the rest of the congregation to take careful spiritual inventory of themselves to avoid incurring a similar punishment. In chapter 13 he reveals the root of their problem, saying in effect, “Some of you are physically ill because you’re sinning. Start loving God and one another as you should, and your ailments will disappear.”
Love is the antidote for sin. When a Pharisee asked Jesus which of the commandments was greatest, Jesus replied, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets” (Matt. 22:37-40)...That’s why Paul said, “He who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, ‘You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,’ and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no wrong to a neighbor; love therefore is the fulfillment of the law” (Rom. 13:8-10).
Love is your highest calling and the greatest contribution you can make to others. But it’s possible to neglect it or misunderstand its characteristics. That’s why we’re going to spend this [time]…exploring true love and how it functions. As we do, pray that your love for God and others will increase each day.
Suggestions for Prayer
Ask God for a greater capacity to love Him, then demonstrate your love by obeying His Word. https://faithwheel.com/topic-the-antidote-for-sin-john-macarthur-ministry-grace-to-you-daily-devotionals-1-july-2021/

Does this mean that when we sin that we don't love the Lord or others at all? No. It can mean that our flesh is weak and that we need to rely more on the Holy Spirit...that's part of the sanctification process and understanding that we're not perfect. Consider what is recorded in John 21:15 (NLT) "After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, 'Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?' 'Yes, Lord,' Peter replied, 'you know I love you.' 'Then feed my lambs,' Jesus told him."
Sometimes our actions prove that we love the "these" more than God and others, but it doesn't mean that we no longer love God and others (at times sin is blinding for a moment). God knows what are "these" are. Please know that He's cheering for you to make the "these" much more of lesser importance. He's a jealous God (Exodus 34:14) and He wants to know that you love Him wholeheartedly (Mark 12:30). Pray and ask Him to remove those "these" from your life. And then also ask yourself, "When I say I love others, do my actions communicate that?" If not, then confess, realign, and pursue them too with your whole heart (Philippians 2:2). 
Practicing His Presence,
​Nate


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    Author

    Nate Smith is a college baseball and football coach, a husband, a father of 6 girls, grandpa to 3 granddaughters, a police chaplain, and has a passion to see men grow in Christ.

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