INSPIRE Devotionals With Emmanuel Afiawari Wednesday, February 12, 2025 Topic: THE POWER OF TRUE LOVE! Memory Verse: ‭‭ "The Lord disciplines everyone he loves; he punishes everyone he accepts as a child" - Hebrews 12:6 ERV Bible Text:  ‭‭‭‭‭‭‭2 Corinthians 5:14A AMP 14. For the love of Christ controls and compels us, ... INSPIRATION: Many atimes, we've often been told that love is expressive. That is, you not only showcase it, but you've the freedom to act as occasion serves you while in love. Contextually, whilst this may be true to some extent, to act out of control would be a sign of weakness rather than something to celebrate. Paul says, "The love of God constraints me" (2 Cor. 5:14). When we're exposed to and wrapped in God's love, our choices are narrowed from the wild array of meaningless emptiness that do not conform to any standards or the will of God to something concise and purpose-driven. Love compels us to do right by ourselves, just as we do right by God and the people in our lives. Scripture tells us to stand in the liberty (freedom) whereby we've been made free, "We have freedom now, because Christ made us free. So stand strong in that freedom. Don’t go back into slavery again" (Gal. 5:1). But liberty should not be used as an occasion to sin, "My brothers and sisters, God chose you to be free. But don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do what pleases your sinful selves. Instead, serve each other with love" (Gal 5:13). Now, here's the point, God's love will compel, constrain or control you from acting like those in the world. God's love will narrow your options; you can't act like those still in darkness, rather, you'd be under control. You must submit to this control else you'd suffer strict discipline from God because those he loves, he disciplines. God could not have loved and deposited so much in you and you act reckless and wreck your life just because you're in love. TODAY'S TAKE HOME: Develop God's kind of love. Demonstrate genuine love towards others. Bring yourself under strict control dictated by God's love. Think before you say or do anything: will God be pleased with me for saying or doing this? If no, don't; if yes, go ahead. PRAYER: Dear Lord, teach me how to genuinely love others with God's kind of love, and to act under control as You cause Your love to be shed abroad richly in my heart, so that my life reflects the nature of Christ's love wherever you go, in Jesus name.

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