Learning To Really Love People from the Heart

In review of Philippians 1:7 it says, “It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart” (NIV).

Today’s verse is Philippians 1:7. Paul tells the Philippians, that it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart.

His love and affection for them was based not merely on past experiences but also on the unity that comes when believers draw upon Christ's love. Let Christ's love motivate me to love others and to express that love in my actions toward them.

What Rick Warren observed, if people are not on my heart, they’re on my nerves. This is likely one of the reasons so many marriages struggle is that mates are reacting to each other from their mind rather than their heart. I need to really listen, their feelings are legitimate

Heart love begins with understanding why someone feels the way they do. I need to ask questions and then listen. Hear the hurt, look for the problems, know what makes my spouse or others near me  tick. I need to understand the moods of the people closest to me, why they act the way they do. If I care, I’ll be aware.

How do I love people that you find unlovable, even when you do understand them and their moods? “God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:8 NIV). Paul was saying, “I’ve got a gut feeling of love for you.” That is not a natural kind of love. It is a supernatural kind of love. That’s why Paul said it’s not from himself, but it’s the affection of Christ Jesus. Human love wears out and dries up and dies on the vine. The only kind of love that lasts in spite of heartache and difficulty in tough circumstances is God’s love, the affection of Jesus Christ.

So how do I get this kind of gut love? “God has poured out his love into our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit, who is God’s gift to us” (Romans 5:5 GNT). God’s love is not something I work up. It is something that is poured into me by the Holy Spirit as I let him live in me day by day.

Father this morning, I pray that you help me love others and really care about them and their needs. I also ask for your wisdom and guidance in handling the work task myself and my team has. Help me to lead and respond to those I interact with. I pray this in your Son Jesus name, amen!