Let Love Be Victorious
Basilea Schlink teaches that true Christian living involves letting love triumph over conflict and estrangement, embodying Christ's nature through forgiveness and humility.
In this devotional sermon, Basilea Schlink encourages believers to actively participate in God's kingdom by letting love triumph over conflict and estrangement. She offers practical guidance on humility, forgiveness, and patience in difficult relationships. Through prayer and self-examination, listeners are invited to embody the image of Jesus and experience the transformative power of love.
Full Transcript
God lives and works today. Yes, he is at work building his kingdom. We can take part in this by doing one simple thing, by letting love be victorious.
Today's meditation by Baselius Schlink will give us some helpful tips about how to do it. Be reconciled. Don't be estranged from anyone.
Go to the person who bears a grudge against you, or against whom you bear a grudge, and let love be victorious. Then the kingdom of heaven will begin. Your likeness pre-ordained on me, Jesus my master, Let men see you in me, and give you honor.
Your likeness pre-ordained on me, your perfect nature, So will my nature be by love made perfect. Of course I want to get along with everyone, but I just can't work together with Jane. Others say that I am in the wrong, but I can't see why.
What should I do? From my own experience, I would say, without trying to justify yourself or make excuses, pray for the spirit of truth, and ask to be convicted of your sin. If after a thorough self-examination you still don't see that you're in the wrong, ask God for wisdom as to whether you should try to straighten the matter out, or let it rest. Well, in regards to my problem with Jane, I did ask for forgiveness, but the atmosphere hasn't changed.
Ask yourself whether your humility was genuine, and whether your repentance was deep enough. Perhaps you just couldn't stand any discord, and therefore tried to reinstate the normal atmosphere as quickly as possible. Don't avoid conflict.
Pray about it. Sometimes God hardens another person's heart so that you have to humble yourself more and more beneath God's hand, and learn to wait until the other forgives you, so that you can practice forgiving and loving. Tell yourself, it's necessary for me.
Then God will give you a wonderful gift, love for your enemies, and the image of Jesus will be born in you. If despite years of prayer and of blessing your neighbor, there is still no inner unity, then be comforted by Jesus, saying, The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his Lord. Be your love that stays friendly, kind, and calm, quietly enduring all evil, hurt, and harm.
Lord, love like this give me. www.canaan.org
Sermon Outline
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I. The Call to Let Love Be Victorious
- God is actively building His kingdom today
- We participate by allowing love to overcome
- Reconciliation is essential to kingdom living
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II. Dealing with Conflict and Grudges
- Approach those with whom you have conflict
- Pray for the spirit of truth and self-examination
- Avoid justifying yourself; seek genuine humility
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III. The Process of Forgiveness and Waiting
- Sometimes God allows waiting to deepen humility
- Practice forgiving and loving even without immediate reconciliation
- Trust Jesus’ example and comfort in enduring hardship
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IV. The Outcome: Christlikeness Through Love
- Love for enemies is a divine gift
- The image of Jesus is formed in us through love
- Endure evil with kindness, calm, and patience
Key Quotes
“Go to the person who bears a grudge against you, or against whom you bear a grudge, and let love be victorious.” — Basilea Schlink
“Sometimes God hardens another person's heart so that you have to humble yourself more and more beneath God's hand, and learn to wait until the other forgives you.” — Basilea Schlink
“Be your love that stays friendly, kind, and calm, quietly enduring all evil, hurt, and harm.” — Basilea Schlink
Application Points
- Approach those with whom you have conflict and seek reconciliation through love.
- Pray honestly for self-examination and the spirit of truth before addressing disputes.
- Practice patient love by enduring hardship calmly when immediate resolution is not possible.