by Kyle Gilstrap
The true test of discipleship is, according to Jesus, that you love one another. What does that mean?
The fundamental question that must be answered is…
“How does God love Me?”
If we’re truly going to love others AS God loves, then we first have to answer the question “How does God love me? ” Until we are settled on that, we aren’t ready to exhibit the love of God toward others. We may be able to do acts of love, but we will not be loving in our core.
How does God love you?
The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee. Jeremiah 31:3
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. John 13:14
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
2. Is there anything that you can do to change the love God has for you?
3. Does your sin effect the way God loves you?
4. Do you see your love through God’s eyes? Or do you see God’s love through your eyes?
5. God chose to define Himself by one word ________. 1 John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.This is a work in progress! You must experience the Love of God for yourself before you can really love others. It must be your experience. It must settle forever in your mind that God loves you just the way you are! It must free you from the “brownie point system” that says God’s love is dependent upon your behavior.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. – John 13:35
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. -John 13:34
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. -John 15:12
And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour. -Eph 5:2
Love is the ultimate test of discipleship.
1. How is love manifested?
2. What will you do differently if you love strangers?
3. What will you do different if you love other believers?
4. What will you do different if you love your neighbor?
5. What is an everlasting love? (Jer 31:3)
6. How did God demonstrate His love for us? (Rom 5:8)
7. How deep is the love that proves discipleship?
8. What action must accompany love for you to demonstrate that you’re a disciple?
9. Why is love the ultimate test of discipleship?
10. Why did God chose love rather than obedience?
11. Why did God chose love rather than knowledge?
12. Why did God chose love rather than sacrifice?
13. How does love demonstrate discipleship more than knowledge?obedience? sacrifice?
by Kyle Gilstrap