*Illustration- Fixing the scale.  I can adjust it, but if it’s primary calibration of the pound is off, I cannot fix it.  It would need the master designer who would calibrate to official scales. 

If our lives are mostly aligned with Jesus, given time we will be significantly off course, distant, or even completely numbed out. 

A life communing with God will produce fruit that reflects him:  Peace, love, joy, goodness kindness, patience, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.

Love is the true scale of our alignment to God’s heart.  Galatians 5:13-15

• Our call to freedom is not a license to do whatever we want.
  
  
• We are given freedom to as an opportunity to humbly love each other.
  
  
• Love is the true measure of the law and freedom used well. (14)

True love goes beyond how one feels. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Common phrases for explaining love left: “We fell out of love.” “Our feelings have changed.” “I need to focus on myself right now.”  “I don’t want to hurt you if we were to breakup later.”  “It’s not you.  It’s me.”

 *Illustration: The summer of love.   

• Love does not envy, boast, or is prideful.
  
  
• Love does not dishonor others, does not seek self as primary motivator, does not get angry easily, does not keep a record of someone’s faults. Love does not enjoy evil.
  
  
• Love is patient, kind, and celebrates truth.
  
  
• Love always trusts, hopes, and perseveres.

Love is more than doing the right things.  1 Corinthians 13:1-3

• Faith that can move mountains without love is worthless.
  • What was the desired purpose?

• Manifestations of tongues or prophecies without love is nothing to God.
  • To whose pleasure were you doing these things?

• Generous giving or sacrificial living without love gains me nothing with God.
  • Do you expect to impress God and receive a participation trophy when it is about your standing?
• Commitment, defense, and perseverance to truth without love falls short in pleasing God. Revelation 2:1-5

Living a “first love” life with God requires walking closely with the Spirit.  Galatians 5:16-18

1. Walking together with the Spirit with will align your heart and mind to His counsel.
   • Mindful and in constant consideration.
   • Passion that you don’t easily hide.

2. Walking together with the Spirit will create pleasure in pleasing him.
   • First love mindset seeks to be creative in expressing love.
   • First love mindset seeks to know what pleases the other—a journey of discovery.

3. Walking together with the Spirit will build resolve in alignment and pleasure even when you don’t feel the love in challenging times.
   • Things happen that sap the mind, emotion, and ability to feel. However, love will remind us of the truth of that relationship to carry us through that season.

Discussion Guide:

1. Read Revelation 2:1-5. Why would God not be satisfied with the actions of the church of Ephesus that were described in the first four verses…would that not convey love?   Describe what a “first love” type of love looks like.  What are some of the motivations within and actions towards another that happens when true love has just begun?  How could this type of first love be applied towards God? 
2. With 1 Corinthians 13:1-7 giving us what love is and what love is not, how can we use these descriptors as an evaluative tool but not as a formula in loving God and others well?
3. In light of Galatians 5:13-18, how does walking with the Spirit of God lead to a life that exudes a life of love? What does walking with the Spirit look like and how would that be similar to developing a relationship with someone you plan to marry?