February 19, 2015
I Surely Ought To
1 John 4:11-12
Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.
All children imitate their parents in some way. Even children who are adopted take on traits of the people that raise them. If God is my Father, I certainly want my life to be a reflection of his instruction and influence in my life.
But I don’t live to try and imitate God simply fit in or look like I belong to the Family of God. Since I do not deserve the love, forgiveness, comfort and grace he pours out on me, how can I decide for whom and when I will pour it out on others? As God’s daughter, people should expect these things from me too without having to earn or deserve it in some way.
Because of how I am treated, I surely ought to...
Love: We surely ought to love each other. 1 John 4:11
Forgiveness: But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15
Comfort: God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
2 Corinthians 1:4
Grace: Is a GIFT from God, not something I’m owed. Ephesians 2:8
These are things God does for me. I should be treating others the same way without falling into the trap of thinking they have to earn it or deserve it from me because that’s not how I would accurately be represented the Dad raising me.
Dear God,
Thank you so much for your love, forgiveness, comfort and grace. I love the relief I receive from you as a result of your never ending supply of these things for me. Help me to generously be like you to the people around me so they can know without a doubt to whom I belong. I love you and thank you and pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
I Surely Ought To
1 John 4:11-12
Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.
All children imitate their parents in some way. Even children who are adopted take on traits of the people that raise them. If God is my Father, I certainly want my life to be a reflection of his instruction and influence in my life.
But I don’t live to try and imitate God simply fit in or look like I belong to the Family of God. Since I do not deserve the love, forgiveness, comfort and grace he pours out on me, how can I decide for whom and when I will pour it out on others? As God’s daughter, people should expect these things from me too without having to earn or deserve it in some way.
Because of how I am treated, I surely ought to...
Love: We surely ought to love each other. 1 John 4:11
Forgiveness: But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15
Comfort: God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
2 Corinthians 1:4
Grace: Is a GIFT from God, not something I’m owed. Ephesians 2:8
These are things God does for me. I should be treating others the same way without falling into the trap of thinking they have to earn it or deserve it from me because that’s not how I would accurately be represented the Dad raising me.
Dear God,
Thank you so much for your love, forgiveness, comfort and grace. I love the relief I receive from you as a result of your never ending supply of these things for me. Help me to generously be like you to the people around me so they can know without a doubt to whom I belong. I love you and thank you and pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
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