We’ve spoken about priorities for life before and today we are considering what the best way to live is. Reflecting on and then digging deeper into our top priorities, let’s consider what is the best way to live. God’s Word tells us that all the commands can be covered and would be of top priorities by love:
“”30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’[a] 31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] No other commandment is greater than these.”
Mark 12:30-31 NLT
The best way to live is to love above all else. Love God and love our wives. Love our kids and then everyone else.
Why should you be the dads who choose love as the best way to live?
Firstly, let’s be the dads who choose to love our wives, kids, and world because we know it covers a multitude of sins. Secondly, let’s be the dads who choose to love our wives, kids, and world because it helps us to overlook unkindness by forgiving them. Thirdly, let’s be the dads who choose to love our wives, kids, and world because it helps us to keep from selfishly seeking what best for us and keeps our focus on seeking what’s best for them.
Today’s Verse of the Day:
Above all, have fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others].
1 Peter 4:8 AMP
Therefore, let’s be the dads who above all, have fervent and unfailing love for one another! Furthermore, let’s be the dads who choose to love because we know that love covers a multitude of sins! Finally, let’s be the dads who choose to love because it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others!
Remember from 1 Corinthians 13 what love is:
‘Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! ‘
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
So how can we apply today’s verse of the day towards being the dads God created, calls, and purpose for us to be? How can we apply it to being the dads our wives, kids, and world need us to be?
Applications of 1 Peter 4:8 towards being the dads who choose the best way to live through love:
- Love Unconditionally: Practice unconditional love for your children and spouse, just as God loves us without conditions. Show them that your love is not based on their performance or behavior.
- Forgive Freely: Forgive your children when they make mistakes and teach them the importance of forgiveness. Let them see that love can mend relationships.
- Be Patient: Parenthood can be challenging, and kids can test your patience. Practice patience as a dad, understanding that love is patient and enduring.
- Show Kindness: Show kindness and compassion towards your family members. Small acts of kindness can go a long way in expressing your love.
- Be Humble: Humility is an essential aspect of love. Admit your own faults and apologize when you’re wrong. Teach your children the value of humility.
- Serve Selflessly: Serve your family members selflessly, just as Jesus served us. Put their needs and interests above your own.
- Listen Actively: Show your love by actively listening to your children and spouse. Create an open and safe space for them to share their thoughts and feelings.
- Encourage and Build Up: Use your words to encourage and build up your family members. Be their biggest cheerleader and support them in their endeavors.
- Lead by Example: Demonstrate love in action through your own behavior. Your children often learn more from what you do than what you say.
- Pray Together: Foster a spiritual connection within your family by praying together. Pray for each other’s well-being and for guidance in your roles as fathers, husbands, and family leaders.
Love is the key:
By applying these principles rooted in 1 Peter 4:8, you can strive to be the kind of dad who lives out love in a way that reflects God’s love for us. Your role as a father will not only impact your immediate family but also influence the world by raising children who understand the significance of love, grace, and compassion.
