Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
April 6, 2023
John 13:31-35
31 When Judas was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Human One has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32 If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify the Human One in himself and will glorify him immediately. 33 Little children, I’m with you for a little while longer. You will look for me—but, just as I told the Jewish leaders, I also tell you now—‘Where I’m going, you can’t come.’ 34 “I give you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you also must love each other. 35 This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples when you love each other.”
Good Morning, They will know we are Christians by our love.
Jesus tells us to love one another just as he has shown us through his own love for us. As humans, we are challenged by this because we have many characteristics that get in our way. We want to do as Jesus taught us, but we lack the capacity to do so on our own.
We must first love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Then we must surrender ourselves to God’s will. Next, we repent of our sins and accept Christ as our Lord and Savior. The Holy Spirit enters us at our baptism, and finally, the transformation begins.
We might be thinking, “Okay, I’m ready. I’ve got this.” There is one of our big problems. When we think we’re in control by saying, “I’ve got this,” we’re back to step two of surrendering ourselves to God’s will.
Remember those board games where you look like you are winning, and suddenly you land on a space that whisks you back to an earlier place or even the beginning? We begin each day filled with possibilities. We wake up and thank God for a new day. Some days we make it okay. We love God, and we love one another. On other days we don’t do so well.
After all, that person is really annoying. It’s not our fault! They don’t deserve my love! The excuses are endless, but they are just excuses. God offers us a chance to try it again the next moment or the next day. The more opportunities we have to live as Christ taught us, the more our capacity to love grows.
Have you ever had a situation where you realize that your bothersome co-worker or neighbor doesn’t seem as annoying as they used to be? Did they change, or did you change? The Holy Spirit works over time within us, helping to smooth our rough edges and broken pieces so that we may take on the cloak of Christ in our thoughts, words, and actions. Praise be to God.
Just like our favorite garment needs slight repairs from time to time, so do we. Our repairs come from praying with God, reading Scripture, joining in fellowship, and worshiping God through our praise and song. Even when we think we have damaged our garment beyond repair, God waits for us to call out and ask for mercy.
We are one in the spirit, one in the Lord, and we pray that all unity will one day be restored. Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
Blessed God, We thank you for Your blessings. We are not yet finished. Thank you for your patience as we grow into your children. In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Loving as Christ begins with humility.
Love one another! Pastor Liz
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