Increasing in Love as Those Who are Forgiven — David Lane & Alan Thomas — December 31, 2023
http://rlcf.church River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker emphasizes that personal holiness and love for others are not separate pursuits but are directly related. He draws from scripture to argue that one's growth in holiness must be matched by an increase in love for fellow believers and all people. True love, which must be unhypocritical and come from within, is the ultimate demonstration of Christ's imitation, and the speaker commits to pursuing this balance in the new year.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Increasing in love to establish our hearts in holinessPaul's prayer in 1 Thessalonians reveals that growing in love for one another is tied directly to having our hearts established without blame in holiness.
Holiness should not outpace our love for othersPersonal purity and how we treat others are not separate; our pursuit of holiness must be matched by our love for the saints and all people.
Letting love be without hypocrisyRomans 12 calls for genuine love that is free from hypocrisy and marked by devotion and honor toward one another.
Love must come from withinTrue love, as described in 1 Corinthians 13, is an internal reality of patience and kindness rather than just an external show.1 Corinthians 13:4
Imitating God by walking in forgiving loveBelievers are called to imitate God and walk in love just as Christ loved us and gave Himself as a sacrifice.
Guided in paths of righteousness for His name's sakePsalm 23 encourages us that God has a vested interest in guiding us in righteousness for the sake of His own name.Psalm 23:3
Forgiven little children for His name's sakeFirst John 2 reminds believers that their sins are forgiven for His name's sake, taking the pressure off human perfection.
He remains faithful because He cannot deny HimselfSecond Timothy assures us that even if we are faithless, God remains faithful to His own character and promises.2 Timothy 2:13
Confidence in God's faithfulness to cleanse usBecause God is faithful and just, we can rest completely in the promise of 1 John 1:9 that He forgives and cleanses those who confess their sins.1 John 1:9
There is forgiveness that He may be fearedPsalm 130 highlights that despite our profound sinfulness, there is forgiveness with God so that He may be feared and revered.Psalm 130:3–4
