All the commandments were summed up with two statements about love. Let’s be the dads who are living with the knowledge and decision to live by the answer. Let’s be the dads who choose to take the key and open the door to fulfillment in our lives and families. Love is the answer and the key to life.
God is Love:
- 1 John 4:8: “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
- 1 John 4:16: “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”
- Romans 5:8: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
- 1 Corinthians 13:13: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
God so loved that He gave:
Be the Dads who love:
- John 13:34: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
- 1 John 4:7: “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.”
- 1 John 4:11: “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
- 1 Peter 4:8: “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
Love is the answer to how we are to live our lives! Love is the key to successfully living our lives to the fullest! The key to being the dads our wives and kids need us to be for the glory of God!
Today’s Verse of the Day:
By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.”
John 13:35 AMP
Therefore, let’s be the dads who love so that the entire world including our families will know that we are Jesus’ disciples! Moreover, let’s be the dads who live with unselfish concern for one another to ensure the world knows we are Jesus’ disciples! Finally, let’s be the dads who choose to live out the answer, using the key which is LOVE!
How can we take today’s verse of the day and put it into practical application in order to meet the needs of our wives and kids? What can we do with it that will help us demonstrate we are His disciples to the glory of God the Father?
Applications of John 13:35 to help us be the dads that our wives and kids need and glorify God:
- Show Love at Home:
- Start by demonstrating love within your own home. Show love and unselfish concern to your wife and children on a daily basis.
- Practice Patience:
- Be patient with your family members. Understand their needs, listen actively, and respond with a calm and loving spirit.
- Model Forgiveness:
- Forgiveness is a key aspect of love. Be quick to forgive and slow to anger, fostering an atmosphere of grace and mercy in your home.
- Serve Selflessly:
- Actively seek opportunities to serve your family selflessly. Whether it’s helping with chores, cooking a meal, or offering assistance, let your actions speak of your love.
- Prioritize Quality Time:
- Spend intentional, quality time with your wife and children. Build strong connections by engaging in activities they enjoy and expressing genuine interest in their lives.
- Encourage and Support:
- Be a source of encouragement and support for your family. Offer words of affirmation, provide emotional support, and be their biggest cheerleader in their pursuits.
- Lead by Example:
- Demonstrate Christ-like love through your actions. Your children will learn about love by observing how you treat your spouse, handle challenges, and interact with others.
- Teach Biblical Principles:
- Share the biblical perspective on love with your family. Discuss relevant verses and stories that illustrate the importance of love and its transformative power.
- Cultivate a Spirit of Unity:
- Foster a spirit of unity within your family. Address conflicts with humility and a desire for reconciliation, promoting a harmonious environment.
- Engage in Community Outreach:
- Extend your love beyond the walls of your home. Get involved in community service or outreach programs together as a family, demonstrating love for others in practical ways.
Live life knowing the answer and using the key:
By consistently applying these principles, you can actively live out John 13:35, showing the world—and especially your family—that you are a disciple of Jesus Christ. Remember that your actions often speak louder than words, and your commitment to love can have a lasting impact on your role as a father and husband, glorifying God in the process.
