Holy Habit #7: Love Series

Holy Habits: Love

Introduction

Peter’s list of Christian Graces has challenged us to grow in the qualities that make us more like Christ. Each one sounds simple, but they are not easy. They call on us to never be content with our current status. If we rest, we rust!

We have spoken of these qualities as habits - things we want to engage every day so that they become a natural part of our lives. James Clear helps us understand habits in his book Atomic Habits. “A habit is a behavior that has been repeated enough times to become automatic.” The Christian Graces in 2 Peter 1 can become, when repeated enough times, automatic - the behavior we seek.

2 Peter 1:5-7 NIV “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.”

Which of these habits has been challenging you the most?

Through these instructions, the Lord is always leading us to love.

-Goodness seeks to love others by seeing the best in them.

-Knowledge informs our ability to love others.

-Self-Control leads us away from selfish motives and self-focus.

-Perseverance teaches us to keep on loving in difficult days.

-Godliness reminds us - to be like God is to be a loving person.

-Brotherly kindness puts legs on our love - acting in loving ways in service and encouragement.

It all leads us to love. Robert Harvey wrote, “In each case, we are being called on to express in action the nature God has created in us.” To be in the holy habit of love is ultimately to be in the holy habit of growing into God’s character.

1. The Holy Habit of Love is Seeking the Best for Others.

Agape - capstone of all the virtues the Christian should pursue.

Michael Green: “This agape might be defined as a deliberate desire for the highest good of the one loved, which shows itself in sacrificial action for that person’s good.”

Copeland gives these qualities of Agape Love:

-Unearned. Does not depend on the one being loved as having earned such love. Example: Your children do not have to earn your love - it exists apart from them!

-Open. Not an exclusive love (brothers only), but an all-embracing benevolence. Jesus modeled love for strangers, rejects, outcasts.

-Purposeful. Not an uncontrolled reaction of the heart, but a concentrated exercise of will. It won’t always be easy, but it is our effort to express love for others.

-Compassionate. A caring love, one that becomes involved in the needs of others. The cross is the greatest act of compassion - meeting the greatest need of all.

No wonder agape love is such a powerful force.

2. The Holy Habit of Love is the Oxygen of the Christian Life

-It is the Atmosphere of the Christian life (“walk in love”) Eph 5:2

-It is the garment of the Christian (“put on love”) Col. 4:2

-Motive of Christian service (“done with love”) - 1 Cor 16:14

-It is the glue of Christian unity (“knit together in love”) - Col. 2:2

-Given first place in the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22)

-Love is the crowning virtue - exalted above even faith and hope in 1 Corinthians 13.

3. The Holy Habit of Love is a Daily Practice.

-Spend Time With God Daily.

Agape love flows from God. The more time you spend in prayer, worship, and the Word, the more your heart becomes like His. 1 John 4:7–8 says, "Let us love one another, for love is from God…"

-Serve Others Without Expectation. Look for ways to serve people and do it out of love, not to get anything back. Matthew 5:46-48 – Even sinners love those who love them…

-Practice Forgiveness Often

Agape love forgives quickly. Holding onto bitterness hardens your heart, but forgiving keeps it soft and open. Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind and compassionate… forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

-Love the "Hard to Love"

Ask God to help you show love to people who frustrate or hurt you. This is where agape love really grows. Think of someone you avoid or dislike—start praying for them daily and look for one kind thing you could do for them this week. Luke 6:35 – “But love your enemies, do good to them…”

Renew Your Mind

Agape love comes from thinking differently—less about self, more about God and others. Romans 12:2 – “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

Cortez: Here we see that love is not just a noun. It is more of a verb. It is not just an emotion. it calls for action.

Conclusion