☕️ Happy Wednesday morning!

To help you love like Jesus, here are 3 ideas from me, 2 quotations from others, and 1 question for you to live into.

3 Ideas From Me 🤓

1)

The barometer of maturity for the Christian is always the love of Christ. We love because he first loved us. And we love each other in the way that he has always loved us.

2)

But I believe not being in every room can be a display of love towards those who aren't sure or are hesitant about plans for the future: 1. Your absence allows others to advocate for a different path into the future; 2. Your absence provides space for people to communicate what is upsetting to them; 3. Your absence offers time to people who are not ready to move forward; 4. Your absence minimizes the sense that a single person is trying to thrust new ideas upon the people.

​Source​

3)

Without a life that loves because we have been loved, our gifts spoil. And instead of pointing to the Hero in all of our stories, we become the villain.

​Source​

2 Quotations From Others 🤯

1)

Bible Project on what God's love is like:

"In the Bible, God is said to be overflowing with khesed, a word that combines the ideas of love, generosity, and promise-keeping loyalty. God is loving and generous simply because it's his character. Jesus observes that God cause the sun to shine and the rain to fall on both the evil and the good. The implication is that God loves our neighbors indiscriminately - even when we don't. With this teaching, Jesus invites his followers to a higher standard of love and good works, reminding them of the earlier call to be salt and light and a city on a hill."

2)

The "Incomplete Commentary by Matthew" (author unknown) on the necessity of love for enemies:

"You see that just as murder arises from anger and adultery from lust, so even the love of friends is cut off by the hatred of enemies. But if you sustain him who is an enemy for a while, you will love him as a friend shortly thereafter, once he has been overcome by your kindness.

1 Question For You 🤔

Jesus teaches us to "Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!"

Think about this text and your everyday life in the world around you. How are you praying for the person or group of people that push back on you because of your commitment to Jesus and his way of life?

I'd love to hear your answer! Shoot me a text (706.424.1130) or an email (matt@transformdiscipleship.org).

This week, there are three ways that you can join us as we help each other become like Jesus:

• Listen to this week's Bible Project PODCAST and PLAYLIST​
• ​Read the Transformational Discipleship MEMO. It's a Tuesday email that goes deeper into themes we cover in this newsletter.
• ​Read Transformational Leadership. It's a Saturday email that helps church leaders turn obstacles into opportunities.

📬 Thanks for reading! Please invite your friends to join our journey.

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Until next week,

Matt Adair - Creator of Transformational Discipleship​

E - matt@transformdiscipleship.org

C - 706.424.1130