Devotionals for April 25, 2023
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READ
Romans 8:31-35; Galatians 6:2
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
REFLECT
Infants cannot reciprocate love. For a parent to demand a child to do so would reveal a flaw, not in the child, but in the parent. Jesus loves us in this way. He is not threatened by our failure, nor is his love thwarted by our hardship. If Jesus was willing to die for you, even while you were at enmity with him, what makes you think his love for you could ever waver in light of your weaknesses? There is a moment in a child’s life when they realize just how much their parents love them. What would it look like for you to realize the love of Christ for you in the same way? Psychologists have discovered that a healthy attachment between parent and child leads to better outcomes for that child. The child feels empowered to go out on their own when they reach adulthood, and this usually involves healthy activity (pursuing a passion, going to college, etc.) If a human relationship, human love, could impact another person's behavior in a positive way, how much more can the love of Christ lead us to righteous living? How much more can our security in Christ’s love for us inspire us to love others and thus “fulfill the law.”
APPLY
Q: Where does Paul ground God’s love for us in this passage?
Q: Where in your life do you feel most tempted to believe that God does not love you?
Q: How does the love of God in your life impact discipleship/evangelism?
SING
“Reckless Love” by Cory Asbury
PRAY
"May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven."
Lord, help us to bask in your love for us. Help that to be the spark that drives us forward to love others as you have loved us.
READ
Romans 8:31-35; Galatians 6:2
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
REFLECT
Infants cannot reciprocate love. For a parent to demand a child to do so would reveal a flaw, not in the child, but in the parent. Jesus loves us in this way. He is not threatened by our failure, nor is his love thwarted by our hardship. If Jesus was willing to die for you, even while you were at enmity with him, what makes you think his love for you could ever waver in light of your weaknesses? There is a moment in a child’s life when they realize just how much their parents love them. What would it look like for you to realize the love of Christ for you in the same way? Psychologists have discovered that a healthy attachment between parent and child leads to better outcomes for that child. The child feels empowered to go out on their own when they reach adulthood, and this usually involves healthy activity (pursuing a passion, going to college, etc.) If a human relationship, human love, could impact another person's behavior in a positive way, how much more can the love of Christ lead us to righteous living? How much more can our security in Christ’s love for us inspire us to love others and thus “fulfill the law.”
APPLY
Q: Where does Paul ground God’s love for us in this passage?
Q: Where in your life do you feel most tempted to believe that God does not love you?
Q: How does the love of God in your life impact discipleship/evangelism?
SING
“Reckless Love” by Cory Asbury
PRAY
"May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven."
Lord, help us to bask in your love for us. Help that to be the spark that drives us forward to love others as you have loved us.