The beginning of the New Year brings a desire to change—it’s a kind of new start. But let’s not make changes that only last through the first week. Let us resolve to make lasting changes. Remember that resolutions determine attitudes; attitudes determine approach and approach determines the outcome.

Today Derek finishes this study on the topic of love by using the active definition and command Jesus gave to His disciples. “Love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” By this we know that we are to prefer others before ourselves. This is love taking on flesh.

Today Derek examines the character of love—how it behaves in everyday life. Looking at the verses in 1 Corinthians 13, “the love chapter,” we find how love behaves—what it does and does not do. Love is not insecure, so it does not make a display of itself. It is infinitely strong and can stand any pressure, face any situation. Love can meet any challenge, and love never gives up.

Reading from 1 Corinthians 13, Derek comments on the importance of love. Without love we are nothing. Regardless of all of our giftings, no matter what we do, if it is not borne out of love it will not accomplish the fullness of what it was meant to do. All we do must be done in faith to empower the action of love.

Today we examine the perfect law of liberty, the law of love. The entire Law is wrapped up in these: If we love God and love our neighbors as we love ourselves. If we will put these two commands into practice, we will not break any law. The end purpose of the New Testament is precisely the same as the Old, but it takes the love of God in Christ to fulfill it.

How does God’s agape love work in our lives? Derek helps us to see that we cannot move in God’s love until it has first been birthed within us by the Holy Spirit. Then, as we get to know the One who has given us this love, we can come to know and experience God’s love in our lives. There is much more to it than we can imagine, but eventually it will flow out from us to others.

In today’s session, Derek provides Scriptures that address God’s ability to bring healing to hearts wounded by rejection. There are wounds of feeling unwanted, unloved, uncared for, unappreciated, or losing God’s perspective of one’s own value. Derek especially looks at two primary areas where rejection occurs—between a husband and wife, and that of a child from his or her parents.

Today’s study considers love that occurs in marriage—the picture of a husband and wife or of Christ and the church. In Ephesians, this is called “a mystery.” What was the motivation for Christ giving Himself up for the church? Love. Derek brings out five facts to reveal the love of Christ for His bride.

Derek takes the parable of the sinful woman and the Pharisee to show how love and forgiveness are obtained through faith, not works. God’s love cannot be bought. It cannot be earned. And it is priceless. The amazing fact is—it is freely given!

So, what has motivated God to move so graciously in the ways of men? It certainly is not because we merited it in some way, but simply because He loves us. God chose Israel, too—not because they were special but because He loved them. He chooses us, as well—not because we have earned it, but just because He loves us.