12th. February. 2022. Daily Devotion.
3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. 1 John 2:3-6
Love and law are nicely united in this text. The word of God that we are called to obey is the law of God. When we obey it, God’s love is made complete in us—because we are living by God’s law of love.
This is pleasantly simple, and circular. What shall I do? Whatever the law says I should do. How shall I show my love for God? By obeying the law found in God’s Word. What happens when I obey God’s law? The love of God is made complete in me.
Seen in this way, the Christian life is not mysterious. We don’t have to wonder and fret about what God’s will might be. We can find directions in the Word of God, especially in his law. We may have to examine which words apply to what we are doing, but the directions are always there for us
Do you know someone who truly seems to be full of the Spirit of Christ? I’ll bet that person isn’t a lawbreaker. I’ll bet that person has long understood that obeying God’s law is a simple and direct way of getting close to God. K. Van Til
What about you? Is God’s love being made complete in you?
O God, help me to obey you. Help me not to question what you might want from me when I already know it. Show me wonderful things in your law that direct me to act with love for you and others. Amen.
Prayer for Guidance
Lord, teach me to number my days aright, that I may gain wisdom of heart. Help me do today the things that matter, not to waste the time I have.
The moments I have are precious, Lord, see that I count them dear. Teach me to number my days aright. Fill me this day with your kindness, that I may be glad and rejoice all the days of my life. Through Christ I pray, Amen.
Amen.
Thanks for the Animals of Creation
Oh God, I thank you or all the creatures you have made, so perfect in their kind —great animals like the elephant and rhinoceros,
humorous animals like the camel and the monkey,
friendly ones like the dog and the cat,
working ones like the horse and the ox,
timid ones like the squirrel and the rabbit,
majestic ones like the lion and the tiger, for birds with their songs.
O Lord give me such love for your creation, that love may cast out fear,
and all the creatures see in man their priest and friend, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ~ George Appleton
