By“But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” — 1 John 3:17 - 18 KJV
It’s one thing for God to be in you and yet another for you to live as He is in you. God is love (1 John 4:8). So the raw material of our spiritual make up as children of God is love. That means that love is our identity because God is in us. But the question is, do we express the love of God in us to others? Sometimes yes, and other times, I don’t think so. But when it doesn’t happen that way, know that it didn’t start from this generation. It also occurred in the early church days too.
Apostle James, in his first letter to some believers, said plainly, that if a believer has something another person needs but shuts up the bowels of compassion to that needy person, then there’s a question about how God’s love dwells in him. Don’t we see it today? Don’t people refuse to give to the needy, especially people they fellowship with within the same church? One will say, “Ah, but if I give it to you, I’ll also run short of it.” But that’s not what the Bible teaches.
Humans are more valuable than things. Giving something out to see a need met won’t kill you.
The Bible doesn’t say only give when you have much. It says, “Give, and it shall be given to you…” (Luke 6:38). If you have something a brother needs, and you don’t give, you’re being selfish. In fact, you may not know what you’re doing until that person dies because of your selfishness.
See, humans are more valuable than things. Giving something out to see a need met won’t kill you. You may be uncomfortable doing it. But if that uneasy feeling doesn’t really come out of spiritual discernment, give. However, you can still preach the gospel before providing for the needy.
Don’t just say “I love you” and not show the actions. Love in deed and in truth because that’s what God teaches us to do in His Word.
You’re a blessing.
Prayer
Father, I pray that you’ll root out every selfishness in me. I don’t want to under-live Your nature of love in me. Until I become the full expression of Your love in every aspect of my life, purge me of selfishness. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
Devotional Code: KGD // 2022 – 316
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