Monday Reading: 1 Peter 3:8-9
Key Verse: 1 Peter 3:8
8 And finally, all be of one mind, having compassion on one another, loving the brothers, tender-hearted, friendly.
Devotion:
Does it seem strange to you that anyone should show you love without wanting something back in return? It is a bit of a worry that we are in a society where we now expect that people should want something in return for what they are giving us – we are bound by this expectation that whatever other do has got ulterior motives and that they should want something in return. Christ did not impose any such restrictions on the love that He showed towards other, nor has He imposed restrictions on anything He has done for us. Love should never seek reward otherwise it is no longer love but a work instead.
Just who we do direct our love toward should not be limited by the fact that we know who will respond and who will show us their love back – again that is not love but something seeking a reward instead. I can honestly say that God has shown me a whole new side to love in the past two years and that is now what drives me forward to serve Him with my whole heart. Yes it is kind of heart-breaking when you show others love knowing that they may well just ignore it or worse slap you in the face with something else – but that should not stop us from showing that love in the first place!
Just because someone has done something bad toward you does not mean that you automatically have the right to do something bad in return. By showing love instead of hatred we will shed a new light into their lives. By showing support instead of taking things away, we show a willingness where everyone else has shown distrust and withdrawn their support. Christ did not turn His back on others; it was others turning their backs on Him that made the rifts. It should not be for gain that we show support to others but rather that we know that eventually we might see them reach out to others the same way as we have reached out to them. Let us show that support so that they can see that it is God that has given us that support and love in the first place; the same God that will extend it to them if they dare to ask!
Points to Ponder:
Do you aim to glorify God in everything?
Do you know He is working for you already?