Devotion:
Read John 3:16-17; 13:34-35.
One of the primary themes of this Gospel book is our “L word” for the day: love. Putting these two-verse passages together is one way of summing up the double emphasis of that love. First, this relationship of love is initiated by God. God loves the whole world, including those who do not return that love, and God puts that love into action by giving a most precious gift to provide the opportunity for everyone to experience eternal life. Because of that love, the focus of the mission of God’s Son is to save people, not condemn them.
Second, there is an expectation of all who do believe in Jesus Christ and the mission on which he was sent. We are to share that same love with others. We are to believe in and receive that love for ourselves, then let that love flow through us to those around us. We are to learn and grow in this love so that, more and more, we love the world as God loves the world.
So, from these four verses, let’s review our calling. As God’s people, we are to take the initiative in reaching out to other people to seek a relationship with them, following the example of our Lord. We are to give sacrificially, as God did. We are to believe (trust in) Jesus Christ. Our focus is to be on saving, not condemning. We are to love people. When we do that, others will know that we are the people of Christ.
Personal Worship Option:
In your prayers today, give thanks for God’s love and ask God to show you the person or family to whom you next need to focus in sharing God’s love.
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