Bible Study Plan 2019

Today we read:
2 Samuel 8
Acts 7-8
Psalms 78

-Food for thought day 159-

• Matthew 26:33-35
• Luke 22:54-62

We all can profess love for one another, but true love for people is revealed in trying times.

Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him.

“When they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these [others do–with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [that I have deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Feed My lambs. Again He said to him the second time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Shepherd (tend) My sheep. He said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with a deep, instinctive, personal affection for Me, as for a close friend]? Peter was grieved (was saddened and hurt) that He should ask him the third time, Do you love Me? And he said to Him, Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. Jesus said to him, Feed My sheep.”
‭‭John‬ ‭21:15-17‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

The first two instances, Peter said: Yes! Peter’s love for Him was “Phileo”; The natural human love you have for friends. This is the kind of love that gives up, though so emotionally strong. Peter was being restored by Jesus for not keeping his word and for rejecting Jesus (Matthew 26:33-35: Luke 22:54-62).

The third time Jesus asked him if he loves Him, Jesus was not talking about “Phileo”, but “Agape”.; The love that is willing to die for the other to live.
This is not the kind of love that can be produced by human ability, but it’s the kind that can only be produced by the working of the Holy Spirit in us as we yield to Him. (Galatians 5:22)

That is why Peter said: “You know everything”. Because he was trusting Jesus to help him walk in God’s Love. The kind of Love that knows no fear and is willing to lay down its life for others to live.

God is calling us to function in the Agape kind of Love towards people. When we open our hearts to this dimension of God’s Love, He will reveal Himself to us.

Remember: Love is sacrifice that leads to personal revelation of Christ.

Let the Agape Love of Christ rule over you.

Many blessings in Jesus’ Name.

Think and Act!!!!!