Devoted to living to love

Hebrews 10:5-7 Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says, “Sacrifice and offering You have not desired, but a body You have prepared for Me; in whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You have taken no pleasure.” Then I said, “Behold, I have come (In the scroll of the book it is written of Me) to do Your will, O God.” Verses 5-9 are quotes from Psalm 40:6-8. I read verses 5-7 so we could keep in mind the point the author was making. He wanted his readers to understand that Jesus’ suffering was to fulfill the Law and was God’s plan A. Jesus came to offer Himself according to God’s will. Our encouragement today is that in verse 7 we have a look into Jesus’ heart. He loves to do the Father’s will. Jesus’ attitude of humility, obedience, and love dwells in our hearts.  I’m reminded of a couple of passages of Scripture. First, Luke 22:42, where Jesus prayed, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” Second, Philippians 2:5, 8-9. “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who…being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name.” Let me remind you of Hebrews 5:7-8. Jesus “was heard because of His piety. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.” The word piety means to receive well God’s will. It embodies the idea of devotion to God’s will, even if it means great suffering.  Add to these ideas this truth: The love of the Father satisfies the deepest needs of our Lord’s soul. Abiding in the love of the Father was more dear to Him than life itself. He knew that His Father’s purpose in everything that happened to Him was to provide an opportunity for Him to reveal the love of the Father. This is the attitude of the Lord Jesus living inside us. We know that living to love with Jesus is doing God’s will. That’s what it means to abide in Him. It is to receive Him, His mind, and His heart as the wellspring of our lives. Today, proceed through this day saying to the Lord, “I have come into this day to do Your will, O God.” The live to love prayer expresses this attitude, but in different words. Please join me in prayer. “Father, thank You for another day of life to live to know and love You and to live to love with Jesus. Anoint and fill me with the Holy Spirit, the presence and power of Christ, so that I can love and trust You and love those You put in my path today, for Your glory. Amen.”