Christ's Love Is Tested In Us

"Today's Devotion" For May 27, 2005

Read: I John 5:1-12; Galatians 5:16-6:10

CHRIST'S LOVE IS TESTED IN US

"Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves His child as well." (I Jn. 5:1)

We live in a world that constantly tests the beliefs, principles and resolve of those who live in it. The ramification of such testing become clear as nations are at one moment friends and, at the next moment, the bitterest of enemies. If we have any doubts, just look at the centuries' old relationship between the United States and France. The same could hold true of the United States and Great Britain, Canada, Japan, Germany, and, well...the list is quite long. Parliaments, legislatures, and other governing groups and persons agree on one thing and the next moment are accusing the other of false pretenses. The League of Nations in President Woodrow Wilson's day tried to deal with these issues and failed. The United Nations of today, while having been somewhat more successful over time, still struggles to accomplish peace and harmony among the nations of the world. It seems that the world tests everything, agrees to nothing, and gives no passing grades.

At the same time as the world judges nations and peoples, with standards which often seem to differ depending on each nation's point of view or position on an issue, it's also judging those who are redeemed by Jesus Christ. As God's children through faith in Christ, the world challenges us to prove that God is Who He says He is. We are challenged in our testimony to the truth of Scripture that only in Christ can sins be forgiven and only in Him is eternal life with the Father. Our behavior is scrutinized and we are held to a standard much higher than anyone else. Yet, none of this should be strange or unexpected by those who know Jesus by faith, because Jesus Himself warns us that, because of Him the world will revile those who are faithful to Him (Mt. 5:11, 12). Because of these challenges to our faith and witness by the world, we are led, as the redeemed children of God, to examine ourselves and check our faith.

John reminds us that faith in Jesus means we have a new life with God. We have been born anew, spiritually, by the hand of God. John provides guidance for us our relationship with God in this new, spiritual life, reminding us that, "We love Him because He first loved us"(I Jn.4:19). Reborn by the washing of water and the Word in Holy Baptism, we have been made new creations of God. We have been restored to Him in the household of faith, and, as members of His family we live in love with and toward our brothers and sisters in Christ. Before the world this is a major test, because, as so often happens among siblings, God's children frequently argue and fight among themselves. All too frequently, God's children in Christ tend to treat each other in ways that would lead those outside the family to believe we hate each other. The claims to a loving relationship within the Body of Christ is seen by the world, in too many instances, as "blowing smoke" and having no substance in truth and reality. The world too often sees God's children treating each other with a disdain we wouldn't presume to show to the world. Sadly, for the witness and testimony of the Gospel, the world sees this behavior and wonders.

As the redeemed children of God in Jesus Christ, John's words to us in his First Epistle are so very important for us to hear and heed. He reminds us that we exhibit our love for God by living in obedience to His commands and loving Him and one another as He loves us. We are reminded about and encouraged in such a life of love through faith in Jesus Christ, knowing that in Him such a life of love is not impossible but a very daily reality. Christ has overcome Sin and the world for us. By faith in Him we are empowered to overcome Sin and the world as well. We are blessed in Jesus to live in love toward God and one another, and reflect that love toward the world around us. Thus our witness and lives stand out for the world as being truly different because God's love is at the core of our lives, our speech, and our relationships with others. Through us people come to see Jesus and, in Him, the Father wonderful love. We are truly blessed by God to be His children in Jesus Christ. It's a blessing we seek to share with others, not keep to ourselves. Today, and every day, by the power of God's Word and Spirit, we pray that God would lead us to take every opportunity to love others in Jesus name, as He love us. It's the only hope for a lost and fallen world.

Prayer: Father, I need Your forgiveness every day because I too often fail the test of faith and love. All too often I am unlovingly critical of my brothers and sisters in Christ and end up presenting a faithless picture to the world. Help me to show my love for You by loving others, especially my brothers and sisters in Christ. Let my speech, my life, and my daily activities witness powerfully to Your love for all the world in Christ. Help me at all times to remember that how I act, how I live, how I speak, and how I treat others reflects my relationship with You, or lack thereof. By the power of Your Word and Spirit, give my life the credibility of faithfulness to You, that through me people might see Jesus, believe, and have life eternal with You. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.