NOVEMBER 5
LOVE GOD AND LOVE OUR BROTHERS
1 John 4:21
This commandment we have from him, that he who loves God should also love his brother. (WEB)
As a father of three grown children, my greatest wish for my kids is that they love each other. Now that they have all matured into wonderful adults, their appreciation and love for one another have also grown. They no longer sit at the supper table teasing each other. It's so heartwarming as a father to see his children encouraging and enjoying each other's company.
Since healthy parenting and family models come from God Himself (Ephesians 3:14-15), I believe it isn't too much of a stretch to think that our Heavenly Father feels the same way when He sees His children from different denominations and cultures getting along.
In today's Scripture Reading, the Apostle John reminds us that loving each other should come naturally if we truly love God. However, in the fallen world system we live in, this isn't always automatic as it should be. Sadly, the orphan world system and our own insecurities often make us feel threatened by those who hold different beliefs.
When I talk about our differences in belief, I am NOT referring to issues that would divert us from the core message that Jesus is the only way to the Father. I am referring to aspects such as doctrinal preferences, worship styles, and similar matters. While I believe that we are all called to express the life of God uniquely, we are not called to judge those who approach things differently.
My prayer today is that we all would grow in our love for each other and recognize that we have the same Lord and Father. May we all be mindful of the impact it has on our Father's heart when we truly obey the New Covenant commandment that Jesus shared with His disciples at the last supper, when He spoke these words...
John 13:34-35
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just like I have loved you; that you also love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (WEB)
This commandment we have from him, that he who loves God should also love his brother. (WEB)
As a father of three grown children, my greatest wish for my kids is that they love each other. Now that they have all matured into wonderful adults, their appreciation and love for one another have also grown. They no longer sit at the supper table teasing each other. It's so heartwarming as a father to see his children encouraging and enjoying each other's company.
Since healthy parenting and family models come from God Himself (Ephesians 3:14-15), I believe it isn't too much of a stretch to think that our Heavenly Father feels the same way when He sees His children from different denominations and cultures getting along.
In today's Scripture Reading, the Apostle John reminds us that loving each other should come naturally if we truly love God. However, in the fallen world system we live in, this isn't always automatic as it should be. Sadly, the orphan world system and our own insecurities often make us feel threatened by those who hold different beliefs.
When I talk about our differences in belief, I am NOT referring to issues that would divert us from the core message that Jesus is the only way to the Father. I am referring to aspects such as doctrinal preferences, worship styles, and similar matters. While I believe that we are all called to express the life of God uniquely, we are not called to judge those who approach things differently.
My prayer today is that we all would grow in our love for each other and recognize that we have the same Lord and Father. May we all be mindful of the impact it has on our Father's heart when we truly obey the New Covenant commandment that Jesus shared with His disciples at the last supper, when He spoke these words...
John 13:34-35
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just like I have loved you; that you also love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (WEB)