God’s Hope for Your Heart from John 17
KNOWING GOD WILL GROW YOUR LOVE
“I have made known to them Your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which You have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” (John 17:26)117 J
Many people do religious things to try to “know God.” They go to church gatherings, read the Bible, pray and more. These are all wonderful things, but in and of themselves they are not the main point. In fact, knowing God is pointless unless you realize there is a purpose for that knowledge that is bigger than yourself.
When Jesus makes the Father known to His disciples, He doesn’t do it simply so they will have some personal realization, but so that they may be transformed in the way that they act towards each other and the world.
Jesus wants His disciples to have greater knowledge, so that they will have great love.
What does this love look like? Jesus describes it as the kind God the Father showed to Him, so think of how this love was shown at Jesus’ baptism in Luke 3. Before Jesus ever preached a message or performed a miracle, God the Father declared over Him, “You are my beloved Son, with You I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:22)
The love the Father gives is based not on performance, but on position. It is a love that is offered freely, not based on anyone else’s actions or accomplishments, but on their acceptance in Christ. To love others like this is to give love regardless of whether or not you feel they deserve it.
If you’ve ever wondered what’s the point of knowing God, here is your answer.
If you’ve ever wished for a greater capacity to love, here is your solution.
Invest time in seeking God today, and as you do, you’ll discover the hope that comes through this truth: Knowing God will grow your love.
-Pastor Phillip
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