The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
—Romans 5:5
The fruit of the Spirit is love.
—Galatians 5:22
When we consider Christ’s love for us, our love for Christ, and our love for fellow Christians or for souls around us, the thought sometimes arises: “The demand is too great; it is unattainable; it is impossible for a Christian to live this life of love and to show it to others in the church and to needy souls.” And because we deem it impossible, and because of our unbelief and lack of faith in God’s promises, we make little progress in this spirit of love.
We need to remind ourselves continually that it is not in our own strength, or even by serious thought, that we can obtain the love of Christ. We must realize the truth, that the love of God is “shed abroad in our hearts” and will be poured out daily by the Spirit of God. Only as we are wholly surrendered to the leading of the Spirit will we be able to live according to God’s will. When the inner life of love is renewed from day to day, we will feel compelled to work for souls.
Here is a prayer that you can offer: “I bow my knees unto the Father…that He would grant you… to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may…know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge” (Ephesians 3:14, 16–19). You may be “rooted and grounded” in this love and may know the love “which passeth knowledge,” but only on one condition: you must be strengthened by the Spirit “in the inner man,” so that Christ may dwell in your heart. Then you will indeed be “rooted and grounded in love.”
Christian, take this message from God’s Word, and let it influence your life. Unless you wait upon God daily, on your knees, for His Spirit to be revealed in your heart, you cannot live in this love. A life of prayer will cause you to experience the blessed reality of the love of Christ, the love of fellow believers, and love for souls.
Put your confidence each day in the Holy Spirit—the Spirit of love that God will give to those who ask in faith.