The Source of True Love - John MacArthur Daily Devotional (August-04-2023)

John MacArthur (August-04-2023) Daily Devotional: The Source of True Love

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God. . . . We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:7, 19).

True love cannot be generated on the human level. It’s a gift from God.

Scripture often makes seemingly impossible demands of us. For example, Jesus said, “Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt. 5:44). That's easy to say, but how is it possible? Our natural tendency is to love our friends and hate our enemies. But Jesus said, “If you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax-gatherers do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?” (vv. 46-47).

Israel viewed tax-gatherers as traitors, and Gentiles as spiritual outcasts. Yet even traitors and outcasts show love and kindness to those who reciprocate. Jesus calls us to a much higher standard of love—one that is impartial, like God demonstrates when He “causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (v. 45). As we see from God Himself, it extends even to those who aren't worthy: “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8).

Despite generations of rebellion and slander against His holy will and name, God sacrificed His beloved Son, thereby providing the means by which sinners can be saved. Out of love, Jesus willingly endured the pain and shame of the cross and paid the price of our redemption. Now that's divine love in action!

God commands you to love as He loves: impartially and sacrificially. That may sound impossible on the human level but remember that God never requires you to do anything He hasn't already enabled you to do. At the moment of your salvation, the Holy Spirit took up residence within you and began producing the fruit of love (Gal. 5:22). You don't have to muster it up on your own. All you have to do is invite the Spirit to take control, allowing Him to govern your thoughts and actions. As you do, His precious fruit will be multiplied in your life.

Suggestions for Prayer

  • Thank God for the love of the Spirit He has placed within you.
  • Ask Him for opportunities today to learn how to love more perfectly.

For Further Study

  • Memorize Galatians 5:22-23.

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The Source of True Love - John MacArthur Daily Devotional (August-04-2023)
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3 comments

  • Comment Link Deborah Landry Friday, 04 August 2023 07:10 posted by Deborah Landry

    I have been listening to Pastor MacArthurs sermons via Utube. He has taught me much through his scripture fed sermons. Thank you for the opportunity to hear and be fed truth.

  • Comment Link Deborah Landry Friday, 04 August 2023 07:10 posted by Deborah Landry

    I have been listening to Pastor MacArthurs sermons via Utube. He has taught me much through his scripture fed sermons. Thank you for the opportunity to hear and be fed truth.

  • Comment Link Dawn Gantt Friday, 04 August 2023 00:10 posted by Dawn Gantt

    Thank you, what a blessing, to be saturated with the Word of God. I so appreciate Pastor John MacArthur and his dedication to getting the truth of God out!! The truth is what sets us free and saves us savingly, and gives us assurance of salvation. I thank God for His supernatural love, the love that only He can give. The love that His saved children can surrender to and ask Him to do through us supernaturally. God's thoughts and ways are higher than ours. Agape love is a God thing, His supernatural blessing!!!

John MacArthur

John MacArthur is the pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, as well as an author, conference speaker, chancellor of The Master’s University and Seminary, and featured teacher with the Grace to You media ministry.

After graduating from Talbot Theological Seminary, John came to Grace Community Church in 1969. The emphasis of his pulpit ministry is the careful study and verse-by-verse exposition of the Bible, ...

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