Being a Conduit of God‘s Love (Part 2): Receive God’s Love

To be a conduit of God’s love, we must first recognize love (1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV)

Once we recognize love, we must learn how to receive God’s love (Romans 5:5 (ESV)). God’s love has been poured into us (not earned) to experience it in an abundant manner. Our hearts are the reservoir, and the Holy Spirit is the channel of delivery. Even though our hearts have the capacity to receive love, we cannot receive it if our hearts are turned upside down. Many people are not full of God’s love, not because the love is not flowing, but because their hearts are turned upside down. They are closed to receiving the very thing they’re in desperate need of, which is the love of God.

How Do We Receive the Love of God? (Luke 10:25-37 (ESV))

Be open to God’s love (v. 30)

In the text, unfavorable circumstances forced the man who fell among thieves to be open to God’s love. Sometimes our life circumstances can cause unfavorable situations where we cannot rescue ourselves. In those moments, we must learn to turn our hearts to receive help from others.

“Broken moments often become open moments.” – Pastor Billy Johnson

Be open to the vessel of God’s love (vv. 31-33)

In the text, neither the priest nor the Levite helped the man. Sometimes, the people we think will help us will pass by on the other side. But God’s love can come through an unlikely vessel. Do we turn that love away because it’s coming through an unlikely vessel in unexpected ways? An open heart receives love even when God sends it in various or unfamiliar wrappings.

“We cannot dictate the vehicle that God uses to show love.” – Pastor Billy Johnson

  Be open to the way God’s love is shown (vv. 33-35)

Compassion means being moved to respond to someone’s pain. Sometimes love is shown through others just seeing us. First, the Samaritan saw the man and had compassion. Then he bandaged the man’s wounds by addressing his physical injuries. Love can look like care and healing because God uses people to help us emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Then the Samaritan provided the man with immediate care by sitting him on his own animal and taking him to the inn. God can show us love by allowing an urgent need in our lives where others respond to the urgent need and are not inconvenienced. Real love is not temporary compassion but sustained care – love that stays connected by following up, as the Samaritan did. We can’t dictate how love is shown to us, but we can receive love through discipline, accountability, and presence. We need to learn to receive love in the way it’s given to us.

“God knows how to love you, and He knows how to love you the way you need to be loved.” – Pastor Billy Johnson