TSP DAILY DEVOTIONAL
LET YOUR HEART BE ENLARGED
16th June 2020
Dr. Phil Ransom-Bello
KEY SCRIPTURE/MEMORY VERSE: Colossians 1:4(ERV)
We thank him because we have heard about the faith you have in Christ Jesus and the love you have for all of God’s people.
Isn’t it interesting that many people have come to associate authentic faith with the demonstration of supernatural power? People think that a true Christian is identified by the ability to work out signs and wonders. That the fact that rain is falling everywhere else but your vicinity because you can command the heavens, speak to the clouds and make it rain or not rain, means you are a believer in the gospel.
But Paul counters that perspective in our text. He is saying that what identifies you is faith in Christ and love for all the saints.
These are the fruits of the gospel.
How do I know that the gospel is taking root in you? It’s when we can see these fruits.
These days when you call people to check on them, it feels like there’s a hidden agenda. But no, it’s only because of the culture.
The culture that we live in has put an attachment or conditions to why you should love somebody and how to love them.
Come on friends! We need to teach the world how to love.
We are not talking about romance here. In the hierarchy of things, romance is far below what Paul is referring to when he says love for all the saints.
Not at all.
See, if you receive the gospel, your heart is enlarged to see the possibilities of Christ and the fact that you are able to live Christ without controversies or contentions.
You don’t say, “Oh this aspect of love, I always watch it. I’m careful in expressing this.”
Look, if Jesus said that about you, you think you’ll be here?
Hebrews 12 verse 2 tells us that for the joy that was set before Him, this joy of you and I, He endured the cross.
See, He loved you o to the end. Then your brother or sister that is here with you, you are forming. You can’t love your brother.
What a shame!
Look there’s a place for working miracles but in the conversation of markers of the gospel, what the gospel is identified by, it’s faith in Christ and love for all the saints that counts.
Dear believer, let your love be a public fruit that attests to the fact that you have truly received the gospel.
Let your heart be enlarged to see possibilities to express the love of Christ.
REFLECTION
I have received the gospel. My heart is enlarged to love.
DECLARATION
-I believe in the gospel, therefore the seed of the gospel produces fruit in my life.
-I don’t just know the gospel, I live the gospel. I am transformed by the gospel. The gospel is working through me.
-This gospel produces the genuine markers of authentic believers; of Faith, Love and Hope in me.
-The love I express is a public fruit and not a secret affair because that’s the manner of Spirit I have received.
-My primary ID as a believer is a public show of love not signs and wonders or working miracles but a show of love that teaches the world how to love. Just as God did through Christ.
-As I receive the gospel, my heart is enlarged to see the possibilities to express the love of Christ.
-My love walk is an authentic marker that I am saved. Both in my experience and expression.
-The connection I share with members of the body of Christ is deeper than familial, educational, political, financial, racial affiliations.
-I have love for all the saints. Always.
-I love brethren in the body without controversies or contentions.
-My life bears the testimony of the kind of love that the gospel produces.
Hallelujah!
HEARING BY THE WORD
(Recommended Listening)
Listen to Fruits of the Gospel 2 >> Dr. Phil by The StandPoint Church on #SoundCloud