Eastertide
April 19, 2018
Scripture Reading: 1 John 3:16-24
We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?
Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him.
–1 John 3:16-22
The term hearts used here refers more broadly to our gut-level compassion*. In our heart of hearts, we know what is right or wrong. Sometimes we throw up barriers that blind us from accepting what is right and what is wrong which at the least complicates our consciences and at its worst leads us down a spiral toward evil. Recognizing that God is greater than our hearts and God can break down whatever barriers are holding us back from practicing God’s love is key to our spiritual growth as well as our acting toward the development of the Kingdom of God.
Great joy results from having God love us completely without regard to any of our missteps. God sent his Son to model his love and provides the gift of the Holy Spirit who guides us back into right paths. Such a Holy One is worthy of our love and worship. Praise God forever!
Prayer:
O Lord, you have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from far away.
You search out my path and my lying down,
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
O Lord, you know it completely.
You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is so high that I cannot attain it. (Psalm 139:1-6) Amen.
*http://biblehub.com/greek/4698.htm