TODAY’S VERSE:
John 1:12 “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God”
As today’s verse tells us, once we are born again and saved, God considers us family! As members of His family, what is expected of us? Are we to live each day for ourselves? Well, did Jesus live for Himself?
1 John 3:16 “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”
Jesus lived for others and that is what we are to do as well. The above verse says “for our brothers and sisters”, so who are they exactly? Are they fellow believers only? Hmmm. Do you know with 100% certainty who is a believer right now or will be in the future? Were we believers when the Lord laid down His life for us?
Romans 5:8-10 “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.”
This says that God showed His love to us when we were His enemies! How are we to treat our enemies? Believe it or not, we are commanded to love and pray for them!
Matthew 5:43-44 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”
Can you think of an important way we are able to show love towards unbelievers? Well, what is their biggest problem? They have not believed in the Lord and have not received the gift of salvation in humble, repentant gratitude. So, what happens to them if they die as an unbeliever?
2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 “He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.”
How awful! We cannot even imagine being out of God’s presence because He is all around us. We should not want that for anybody. Have you heard the phrase “The Divine Commission”? It is a command from God to His children.
Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
We are commanded to share the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with unbelievers. Does that sound scary? Do not worry, when we live our lives for Him, staying sensitive to His guidance, He will give us opportunities to share His Gospel and even help us with what to say! Our job is to read our Bibles, pray, and obey!
KIDS’ CORNER: Loving Others
