Stan and I had again met for breakfast at the Twelve Baskets Cafe to talk about growing in our faith. As we were enjoying what we had ordered for breakfast, Stan said, “Let’s talk about responding to God’s love.”
“Responding to God’s love?” I replied. “How do we do that?”
“That’s what I want to talk about,” Stan said with a smile.
Continuing, he added, “As you are well aware, one of the most famous verses in the Bible says that God so loved the world that He gave Jesus.”
“Yeah,” I replied. “John 3:16.”
“Right,” Stan agreed. “That’s the statement of how much God loves us. He gave His only begotten Son for us to have life with Him, the life that begins here and will continue forever.”
“Okay,” I responded, “I got that part. What about how we’re to respond to that love?”
“The only begotten Son laid that out for us,” Stan said. “Jesus said we’re to love God with every fiber of our being.”
“Every fiber of our being?”
“Yeah, with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. That pretty much covers everything! That’s how I’m supposed to respond to God’s love.”
“Do you do that?” I asked.
“That’s a good question that penetrates to the bone,” Stan replied. “Jesus pretty much asked the same question when He asked, “Why do I call Him ‘Lord,’ but don’t do what He says.”
“As well,” he continued, “Jesus clearly said what I’m supposed to do if I love Him.”
“What’d He say?”
“Keep His commandments. But, before you ask, I’ll admit that too often that’s not how I respond to His love.”
______________________________________
Bible verses to consider:
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16.
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. Mark 12:30.
And why do you call Me, “Lord, Lord,” and do not do what I say? Luke 6:46.
If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. John 14:15.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way to life with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence because I have accepted what you gave out of your love, I confess that too often while I remain on this side of eternity I don’t respond to you with the all-consuming love you intend. Please forgive that foolish response to your love and help me follow every step of your lead in loving you just as you want. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of your only begotten Son. Amen.
Think on this: Have you accepted what God did out of His love in giving Jesus for your redemption? If no, why do you choose to remain separated from God both now and forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with how you love God in response to His love? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?
The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what doe He know you need to love Him with your entire being? Spend time studying God’s word, praying, reflecting, and journaling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!
Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to be part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?