Insolomonsporch's Blog

“Under-the Influence”

Devotional Shorts -Day One

(14 Feb 2011)

“Let love for your fellow believers continue and be a fixed practice with you [never let it fail].” (Of course, Amplified Hebrews 13:1)

An incredible thought that is – that love could continue unabated for the brethren, regardless of the day, their disposition, their reaction, or their issues.  What a challenge!  Yet the level of command strength from the Lord is exactly that which He used in all creation – “Let”.

Where exactly does this “let” have to happen?  Well – I believe for His Kingdom to rule in my heart and mind, it must first have been allowed to rule in my will.  This is the personal throne-room of my “self” that must be overcome by His grace.  It is the hard shell of me that was inaugurated at the fall of man, which the enemy likes to stir and swell and use for every selfish and even evil promotion.

So in my will I must “let” this word (to let love continue) rule and have life.  I must in fact surrender to it and obey the light of that word.  I must walk in the light as He is in the light.  But I cannot begin to even take one step under my own steam and effort.  I cannot do it in myself.

Look at what is meant by “continue”.  Strongs #3306, “meno, is a primary verb; to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy): — abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry (for), thine own.”  It is a command of the first order to let love be in me for the brethren without change or corruption: to let it stay steady-state!  The moment I think I can achieve this in my own strength or power, I am doomed to fail.  It takes a miracle!

A miracle in fact which has already happened!  But I must regard my own inability and insufficiency to appropriate it.  It is the redemptive nature of Christ Jesus that dwells in every believer that can accomplish this “let” and “continue”.  Not me.  So I must reckon “myself” as dead, move out of the Lord’s way, and yield all of my faculties and members as instruments of righteousness.  Then He can do in me and through me all that is promised.

This valentine’s day … truly give the gift of love to the brethren, and thus to the Lord through obedience.  Let the Lord’s life and love rule in you – so the love of the brethren… may continue.  Selah.