God often speaks of human relationships as a part of His mission to redeem a lost world (John 13:20; Matt. 25:40). One reason He gives for a husband and wife to live in unity is so they can produce a “godly seed,” that is, children who love and obey God, who can be used in God’s mission to bring redemption to a lost world (Mal. 2:14-15). Similarly, the church is the body of Christ. A church cannot be on mission with the Father in our world if its members are waging war with one another (1 Cor. 12:12). There is a crucial connection between our relationships with others and the salvation of those around us.We might assume that during Jesus’ prayer before His crucifixion, He would have prayed that His disciples would have courage, or would remain faithful, or would remember what they had been taught. Yet He asked that His followers would remain united in their love for one another. Jesus understood that it is spiritually impossible to love God but not love others.
A test of your love for God is to examine your love for others. Our tendency is to say, “Heavenly Father, the problem is not between You and me. I love You with all my heart. I just don’t love my brother.” And God says, “That is an impossibility. You cannot love Me without loving the ones for whom My Son died” (John 13:34-35). Your life will not convince those around you of the reality of Jesus if you cannot live in unity with your fellow Christians.
Devotional by: Blackaby Ministries
Daily Devotional for Thursday, January12th, 2012
I have always said that you have to love everyone, you don't have to like their actions, as a murderer or a rapist but you must rise above that and love his soul, Jesus died for all our sins not just for us but for them as well..
ReplyDeleteWell said....Amen
DeleteI find it fascinating that in other places Jesus even tells us how important it is to take care of the poor and feed the hungry. Everyone is important to Him. Really makes u think what being Christlike really means.
ReplyDeleteVery nice. Let us always remember that Jesus died for each and every one of us, not just the rich and the strong but also the poor and the meek. Thank you Precious Jesus!
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