And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
—1 John 4:21 (KJV)
Some things are very simple. We can't love God and refuse to love each other. This is not hard to understand. On the other hand, some of our "kinfolks" in the LORD and in our families are just downright hard to love because they can be so difficult. But, we need to remember who we were when Christ died for us —powerless, ungodly, sinners, and enemiesof God (Romans 5:6-11). Yet God loved us and sent Jesus to save us even when we weren't deserving. So before we whine about our "hard-to-live-with" fellow believers, we had better give thanks that God loved us when we were "hard-to-love" sinners. Then, we need to thank God for his grace by being more loving with each other.
Almighty God, please give me the strength, compassion, and courage to love my fellow Christians as you have loved me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
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—1 John 4:21 (KJV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Some things are very simple. We can't love God and refuse to love each other. This is not hard to understand. On the other hand, some of our "kinfolks" in the LORD and in our families are just downright hard to love because they can be so difficult. But, we need to remember who we were when Christ died for us —powerless, ungodly, sinners, and enemiesof God (Romans 5:6-11). Yet God loved us and sent Jesus to save us even when we weren't deserving. So before we whine about our "hard-to-live-with" fellow believers, we had better give thanks that God loved us when we were "hard-to-love" sinners. Then, we need to thank God for his grace by being more loving with each other.
My Prayer...
Almighty God, please give me the strength, compassion, and courage to love my fellow Christians as you have loved me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Continue reading...
