The Love Image
Devotions:
Genesis 1: 26 we were created in the image of God. 1 John 4: 8, 16 God is love. We were created in the image of love. God loves us not because of any intrinsic value within us but because He is love. This is the substance of which we are made. This was marred by sin but in Christ Jesus we were born again in that love. His love was shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. We are loved and we are love. Jesus became a man and is the word of God incarnate. We are to be the word of God incarnate to demonstrate the love of God to a hurting and dying world because of being sepaarated from God.
Satan has tried to warp this image within us. We were made to walk in love. When we violate who we are by walking in gossip, criticism, slander, or speaking evil against others and ourselve we damage ourselves. When we hold unforgiveness we are not walking in love so we are injuring ourselves.
God tells us to now engage in these harmful behaviors.
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:31-32 NASB
I will forgive but I will not forget. You have not forgiven yet. You will remember the deed done to you but in forgiving you choose not to put the negative significance to the incident. You forgive through the power of the Holy One who dwells in you who cannot help but forgive, that is what He did on the cross for you.
If you walk in these negative things then you are creating brain damage to yourself. These negative attitudes and actions are toxic to you, your brain and your body. They will kill you. By the power of the greater one in you put away these things and replace them with:
“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:8 NASB
You are love, walk as the love of God. Refill your love tank daily from the river of His love for you by coming into His presence and drinking deeply of His unfathomable love for you.