Aside | Formats | Daily Encouragement

“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

Tagged book of 1 John, love

December 19

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Uncategorized Aside

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18, NIV)

The last verse of the final chapter of Peter’s letters to the exiled Christians contains the admonition to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Christ.

An applicable definition of Grace is “unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification.”

To grow in grace means that things that once frustrated us no longer have the power to frustrate. It means that the things that once distracted us no longer have the power to distract. It means the things that once provoked us to react in an unseemly manner no longer provoke. To grow in grace is to become more like our heavenly Father — with His assistance!

Remember, with God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26) – Luther