Tag Archives: love

“They said, ‘Though John [the Baptist] never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true.’ And in that place many believed in Jesus.” (John 10:41-42, NIV)

It is not necessary to be a worker of signs and miracles to be at the heart of the plan of God for this world.

John the Baptist only proclaimed the truth — and because of his testimony, many believed in Jesus.

It is worth noting that telling the truth is not always an easy task: Speaking the truth — in love — is hard when we’re personally frustrated; the truth is often at odds with “conventional wisdom” or with the “politically correct”; and the truth is often — as the proverb says — “just getting its shoes on while a lie has run half-way around the world.”

However, according to scripture, it is knowing the truth that makes us free. (John 8:32)

Not many of us will work miracles, but all of us can strive to know the truth intimately; to live the truth faithfully; and to speak the truth in love. In doing so, many around us will come to believe in Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life.  – Luther

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“For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” (Luke 7:47, NASB)

The more we value something, the higher it rises in our list of what is important.

The woman in today’s scripture valued the forgiveness of God.  It wasn’t something she had taken for granted, and this singular act of God’s grace was always clear, near, and present.

Simon, who is also a part of the narrative of this scripture, took a lot of God’s gifts for granted — and it was apparent that he “loves little.”

Who are we: The woman who was filled with gratitude, awe, and love for her Lord because she appreciated the gifts of God; or Simon, who didn’t see the hand from Whom all of his blessings had come?  – Luther

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“We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.” (1 John 2:3-4, NIV)

Jesus requires only two simple things of any who would follow Him: (a) Love God with all of our being and; (b) love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

Generally speaking, we love ourselves. . . a lot. God does not begrudge our high opinion of ourselves so long as we are willing to hold the same opinion of all others.

To love God with all our being is to love God not only with all that we are but with all that we have. It is the nature of love to give.

To love our heavenly Father is to do as He requires.  – Luther

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