This morning, the Lord had me reading Romans chapter 3 and for screens in chapter 13. Romans chapter 3 got me thinking along the lines of we are not justified by the works we do but by the faith in Jesus that we have. We know in Scripture the Lord tells us faith only works through love (Galations 5).if a true saving faith of Jesus Christ brings us to a deeper love for Him and for others, then we must be continually growing in love or we are just like a clinking symbol. However, we must be careful not to believe that we are full of love just because we are doing good works for everybody around us. Love is the motive of your actions, not necessarily the actions themselves. In first Corinthians chapter 13 we are told that even though we give all our goods to the poor and give our bodies to be burned as a sacrifice if we have not love is useless.May the motives of our heart always be to love and to have mercy and forgiveness and to grow up into the fullness of who God has created us to be.
To whom much is forgiven, the same loves much! What have you been forgiven of?
23 "Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.24 "And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.25 "But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.26 "The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, 'Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.'27 "Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.28 "But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe!'29 "So his fellow servant fell down at his feet[fn] and begged him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.'[fn]30 "And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.31 "So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.32 "Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.33 'Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?'34 "And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.35 "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses."[fn]
If we are not walking in love, we will see the father as a harsh and stern debt collector. However, when we realize how much we have been forgiven of, we have a mercy on like no other. I don't know about you but I am walking through so many things that need to be forgiven at times that I don't want to take a chance and hold somebody else's debt to me against them.
Daddy,
Help us to know when we have strayed in this area. Lead us by your Holy Spirit into all the ways of your love for people. Help us to speak truth in love with the motive of seeing the captive set free not of the captives being punished for their mistakes. Help love grow inside of each of us so that we be mature and complete lacking nothing.help us to be your hands and feet today.
If there are any that are reading this today that have never felt your love or never experienced your mercy or forgiveness for them, I pray today that as they are reading that they will feel your love and know that you are a good father that you are not a harsh debt collector and that you are wanting to pour out your mercy to all people so that none should perish but all should come to repentance and have everlasting life in Jesus name, Amen
