“God, I’m sorry, I wasn’t very loving today.” Well, some days are like that, aren’t they? You don’t accelerate soon enough when the traffic light turns green and a dozen horns honk. The coffee you picked up at the drive-thru was minus the flavored syrup you requested. You get home from the grocery, and the shredded cheese didn’t make it into your bag. And on it goes. You mutter, you complain, your irritations grow. And your evening devotional reminds you to do things in love. Not just some things. Everything!

Let all that you do be done in love.

I Corinthians 16:14

Like the other exhortations in I Corinthians 16, practice and patience come before the bottom-line payoff. When Jesus met with His disciples in the upper room, He reminded them, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) That is your motivator. Then treat your neighbor as you’d treat yourself – rude motorists are forgiven, mistakes happen, and you have no idea what problem might be on the mind of the grocery bagger. A good start is in praying for each person you meet.

People in government have problems, too. It can be difficult when your viewpoints are so opposite from theirs, but pray for them in love. That’s God’s bottom line!

Recommended Reading: John 14:21-27