the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Grace for Today
1 John 3:23
‘Love one another’
Read John 13:18-38
Men look upon many things as evidences of divine grace in the heart. Most of those ‘evidences’ which men look upon and applaud are so many forms of self-righteousness. They are things seen of men, pleasing to men and honored by men, but they are an abomination to God (Luke 16:15).
But our Lord Jesus Christ has plainly told us that there is one distinguishing characteristic by which all true believers may be identified. ‘By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.’ If I have in my heart a true love for the people of God, then I am one of God’s elect. If love is absent from my heart, grace is also absent from my heart. Just in case any do not know how to measure true love, Paul gives us a clear description in1 Corinthians 13:4-7; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
Love is longsuffering. It is patient with the weaknesses, infirmities and offenses of others. Love is not sharp, bitter, quick-tempered and malicious, but kind. Love is not proud and selfish. It does not envy others, promote itself and behave rashly. Love is not self-seeking. Love is not easily provoked. True love for someone will prevent me from being easily offended by him and will cause me to forgive him quickly. Love thinks no evil. Love always looks for and thinks the best of its object. It looks for reasons to think good and not evil. Love does not harbor suspicion and jealousy and resentment. Love patiently bears all things in its object. If I love someone I will bear, without anger or hurt feelings, almost anything from him, because I trust him and believe the best concerning him.
All anger, wrath, malice, suspicion and gossip are contrary to that love which characterizes God’s elect. They spring from the old man, from the heart of sinful flesh. We must repent of such things and turn from them. It is my constant prayer that the Lord God will teach me to love my brethren and teach me to show them true love for Christ’s sake.
