Fixing Our Eyes on Him
As we step into 2025 and beyond, let us remember what God desires for us. He calls us to fix our hearts and minds on Him until His nature, His character, and His promises become the very essence of how we live.
Isaiah 26:3 reminds us, "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You."When our focus is on God, we dwell in the peace that surpasses all understanding. Our perfect example, Jesus, lived His life wholly surrendered to the Father (John 5:19-20), demonstrating that love is at the center of God’s ways.
Understanding God's Ways
Over time, we have explored different aspects of God's ways—His holiness, faithfulness, forgiveness, and humility. Each of these flows from one foundational truth: love.
Holiness: To walk in holiness, we must observe and follow God’s ways. Holiness is not optional; it is the prerequisite to seeing God.
Faithfulness: True faithfulness shines in difficult times. We remain faithful, not because of how others treat us, but because God is faithful.
Forgiveness: It is not negotiable. When we hold grudges, we imprison ourselves. Remember, God has forgiven us more than we could ever forgive anyone.
Humility: True humility is not thinking less of ourselves but thinking of others more. Jesus was the perfect example of humility, placing others before Himself.
The Greatest of These is Love
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 says, "Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love."
Without love, even the most remarkable acts—miracles, prophecies, charity—are meaningless (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). Love is patient, kind, and enduring. It does not envy, boast, or behave rudely. Love never fails. Everything we do should be rooted in love because God Himself is love (1 John 4:7-8).
A Heart Check: What Motivates You?
God not only sees our actions but also our motives. The example of Judas reminds us that outward actions can be deceiving. He kissed Jesus, a gesture of love, yet his heart harbored betrayal.
Proverbs 21:2 tells us, "Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the hearts." Our love must be genuine, rooted in Christ, and expressed in every thought, word, and deed.
Graduating to Love
Love is the highest form of spiritual maturity. 2 Peter 1:5-9 lays out a progression of growth: faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and finally, love.
If we lack love, we become spiritually barren. Love perfects us, casting out fear (1 John 4:18). It enables us to live boldly, knowing that we are secure in God’s love and called to share that love with others.
Now What?
Hebrews 2:1 exhorts us, "Therefore, we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away."
Let us not merely hear about love but live it daily. Love as God loves—not because others deserve it, but because love is who God is, and we are called to reflect His nature.
May love be the foundation of all we do in this new season. Amen.
New Covenant Assembly Winnipeg is a church with a vision to raise a mighty people who are fully committed to Jesus Christ.