“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NKJV)
God wants us to live the abundant life (John 10:10) and He wants us to reign in this life (Romans 5:17). As long as we follow the world’s pattern, we will only ever experience the world’s results – and even though that could turn out well, God’s results are always better. If we want to have God’s results, we need to follow God’s pattern.
“For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”
1 Corinthians 1:25 (ESV)
“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God…”
1 Corinthians 3:19 (NKJV)
With relationships, and especially marriage, we cannot follow the world’s wisdom and expect to get God’s results. If you sow an apple seed you’ll reap an apple tree, not a pear tree or anything else – you reap what you sow. When we sow God’s seed (applying His truth to our lives), we will experience the fruitfulness that He desires for us.
“3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant…”
Philippians 2:3-7 (ESV)
This is not what psychology would suggest. The world would have you look out for yourself first and then make sure you’re getting what you think you need and deserve. The truth is that we would all deserve hell if it wasn’t for Christ – thank God for grace! Treating people better than they deserve (in grace) is treating them in love, and that’s how Jesus told us to treat others (enemies and friends alike).
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you…”
Matthew 5:43-44 (NKJV)
Love changes everything. God is love. When we love, we release God’s power into a situation. But there is a big difference between worldly love and God’s love. Worldly love is give and take; it says a good relationship needs to be 50/50; it’s based on feelings and emotions, and it’s conditional. I know that’s how most relationships are, but there is a much better way!
“4 Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; 5 love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; 6 love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. 7 Love never gives up; and its faith, hope, and patience never fail. 8 Love is eternal.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-81 (GNT)
This passage of Scripture beautifully describes God’s love. It shows us how God loves us: He is patient with us, kind toward us, doesn’t keep any records of our wrongs… Think about that: God doesn’t keep any record of your wrongdoing (Hebrews 10:17)! If we truly love someone we will be patient with them and we won’t be remembering everything they’ve done wrong. This is loving with God’s love – it’s revolutionary. But we cannot give what we don’t have. When we receive God’s love, we are able to love others with His love. When we love with God’s love we will reign in life!
Thought to focus on for the day:
Focus on God’s love for you. Allow that love to transform your heart and flow towards those around you. Love with God’s love and it will positively touch those around you. Walk in love and you are reigning in life.
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