Love with a pure heart.

As part of being decipled by Peter who's really into the books of 1 and 2 Timothy, I've undertaken a study of these 2 books. I've never done a proper bible study before and I'm looking forward to it.

I have gone through the 2 books and made notes before looking at study notes and guides and the main thing that popped out at me was 1 Timothy 1:5 "The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." I had to ask myself after reading this, 'Do I love with a pure heart' - I believe that this isn't just refering to love for God, but for love for other people. So... do I?

I'd have to say in most cases no. I think it's pretty hard to love with a pure heart, loving no matter what they do or are like. I think this type of love is only possible through the Holy Spirit and also maybe just perseverence with people. Sometimes I think God does things and puts people in our lives to change us but maybe the type of changing that WE need to do to show God how much we love Him and also for our own personal development.

It's also about loving people for the right reasons, living them in a spirit-filled way and not just a human way. I want to love people with a pure heart and a good conscience. I want to loose the humanistic side and allow the Godly side through the Holy Spirit to come through so that my love for the people in my life (not just Christians, but non-Christians) will mirror the love that God has for them and God is pure, God is love and so His love is pure.

So that is my hope and my prayer for now.

Lord, Father teach me to love with a pure heard and good conscience. Let there be no motive behind my love for the people in my life. Help me to love the people in my life I find it hard to love, and the people I love for the wrong reasons, show me how to love them with purity. Father, teach me to love these people in the way you love them. In Jesus name I pray. Amen