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by Ngozi Nwoke  

Do you desire to grow in the love of God? This is the will of God - that you be like Him in words, thought and deeds. Developing the love of the Lord in you empowers you to obey and live for Him at all times. This article tells you how to grow in God's love.

That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God - Ephesians 3:17-19 (NKJV).

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us - Romans 5:5 (NKJV).

Growing in the love of God is mandatory if you want to please God and enjoy all that He has for them that love Him (Romans 8:28) and to ensure you will be with Him where He is. When you develop the love of Christ in you, serving God will no more be a struggle for you, you will do it with delight. Also, you will not be overcome by sin anymore. Walking in love will be a normal way of life for you. So, how do you build up your love level?

How to grow in God's love

1. Salvation

This is the starting point for the love of God in a believer's life. At new birth, God showers His love into your heart by His Spirit (Romans 5:5). A seed of the love of Christ is planted in you when you give your life to Christ. This is the life of Jesus that enables you to live for Christ. God is love (1 John 4:8) and when you receive Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour, love comes to dwell in you. However, as any other seed, if the seed of God's love doesn't grow, you will not reap any benefit.

2. Word

The word of God is a powerful tool for growing in the love of the Lord. Jesus is the word of God (John 1:1, 14) and as you study the word, beholding it as in a glass, you are changed into the image of Christ (love) - 2 Corinthians 3:18. The more of God's word you put into your heart the more the love of God grows in you. The word of God flushes out the wrong things inside you and occupies their space, i.e., Jesus (love) occupies their space. As such, more of God's word, more manifestation of God's love.

3. Prayer

In prayer you commune and fellowship with God, with love. As you can't stay where there is smoke and not smell of smoke, so also you can't stay with love and the love of Christ won't rub off on you. This means the longer you stay with God in prayer the more you are drenched in His love. When you are soaked with His love and someone or something touches you, nothing will come out but the love of the Lord. This is why a lover of God overcomes challenges. When challenges come they only squeeze love out of the person and love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8).

4. Walking in love

At the initial stage and many times afterwards, as the love of God is constraining you (2 Corinthians 5:14) to do the right thing, the flesh will fight against it (Romans 7:23). Therefore you need to exercise yourself in God's love for it to become your nature. Choose to do the will of love all the time (James 1:22) and as you do so you train your senses to walk in love at all times (Hebrews 5:14). This process develops the seed of the love of Christ in you.

In conclusion, growing in the love of the Lord is God's will for you and me. In it, we know and experience God. There is so much God wants to reveal to us about Himself and us, but we only get to know them to the level of His love that dwells and manifests in and through us. Therefore, choose to grow in His love and your life will share your testimonies.

Ngozi Nwoke is a teacher, counselor and author of "Peace Money Can't Buy" and "The Man Jesus" . She has a passion to teach people how to enjoy peace, God's love and christian living for more fulfilling life. Want more fulfilling life? Subscribe for free email updates today. http://stepswithgod.com

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