Love

Pursuit: Love

Do you believe that you have a great tilt toward being deceived or distracted when it comes to love?
Continuing in our focus on 2 Timothy 22-2:20 (NIV)

This one’s easy… I pursue love all the time:
- ice-cream,
- cool cars,
- trips to the beach,
- off-roading,
- winning,
- Being a subscriber to RodSlinger Outdoors YouTube Channel

What do you love?
Is the Love that we show to those who are kind to us, the Love the love that we are called to pursue?
Yes, and… we are called to perfect Love
Matthew 5:43-48

Is love always righteous (remember righteousness, to originate with God)
It depends on the source…Romans 3:10:

When I’m the source, love is a self-centered desire, primarily based on personal preferences and benevolence, that is not righteous

When God’s the source, love is justifying, shown through the blood of Jesus

1 John 4:7-10: Righteous Love comes from God
1 John 4:7-8: Fleeing self-centered love starts with pursing God’s Love
1 John 4:9-10: God demonstrated His Love through Christ,
Requires faith, believing in Christ and accepting His atoning sacrifice

Pursing God’s Righteous Love
Mark 12:28-31 is a Command
John 15: 9-14

This is a command to those who follow Christ
1 John 4:11-18:

Pursuit of God’s Perfect Love Results in God revealing himself to others, through our obedience
What does it mean to Love, righteously?
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Pursing God’s Righteous LoveResults in hope, not condemnation, wait on the Lord
Pursing God’s Righteous Love is a Community Act
1 Corinthians 15: 33: Is Sustained from good company
Galatians 6:1-3: Is shared by those who live by the Spirit

As a fellowship of believers, encourage one another
Galatians 5:13-14 Use your freedom to serve one another humbly in love
1 Corinthians 13:13
Encourage one another in your shared faith
Encourage one another in your shared hope
Ephesians 5:1-2 Encourage one another to Pursue Christ

Follow-up questions:

(1) In Galatians 5:13 reminds us that we are called to be free. What are some examples of using your freedom to serve one another in love?
(2) What do those around you love?
(3) What does it look like to carry each other’s burdens? (Gentle restoration)
(4) How can you tell the source of your love, is it a youthful desire or the result of God working through your life? (Draining vs. Joyful)