The basic characteristics of any living being is to grow and develop.

As any living being, we Christians also have to exhibit signs of life in Christ.
That is Faith, Hope and Love.
I John 5:3: For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his
commandments are not burdensome.
What is his commandment?

Mark 12:30 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and
with all your mind and with all your strength. 31 The second is this: Love your
[a]

neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.

[b]

How do we know what is Love? I John 3:16

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we
ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

I John 4:10- This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his
Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Why we have to love HIM?

I John 4:19- We love because he first loved us

Ephesians 5:2- And walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself
up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Through this love only we are able love others (family, friends, and neighbors) properly

Love towards GOD

First Love: Rev 2:4 But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
First seek his kingdom: Mat 6:33 -But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.

Lack of prayer- pour our heart, pray like David, Jesus

Meditating the word of GOD-
Desires world shunt spiritual growth I John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or anything in
the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.
[a]

Time and money

Love towards Others
 12:31- The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no
[b]

commandment greater than these

Lev.19:18
Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your
neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD

Bitterness
Is there someone I have offended from whom I should seek forgiveness? Mt 5:23-24
Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that
your brother has something against you, 24leave your offering there before the altar and go;
first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.

Is there anyone I have to forgive and forget their wrongdoings? Mt. 6:14-15
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly
Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father
will not forgive your sins.

Have I been patient with the shortcomings and failures of others?

Our LORD accepted us as we were Critical, Judgmental
How careful have I been with the reputation of others? Pro.11:13
A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret

When others are unreasonable, how do I respond? Mt. 5:44-48

Do we see thousands souls perishing around us and not weep for them?
May the Lord make OUR love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else.