The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 16 April 2024
TOPIC: Generous Love
TEXT: 1 John 3: 1-12(AMP)
3:1. SEE WHAT [an incredible] quality of love the Father has given (shown, bestowed on) us, that we should [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are! The reason that the world does not know (recognize, acknowledge) us is that it does not know (recognize, acknowledge) Him.
3:2. Beloved, we are [even here and] now God’s children; it is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be [hereafter], but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall [as God’s children] resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He [really] is.
3:3. And everyone who has this hope [resting] on Him cleanses (purifies) himself just as He is pure (chaste, undefiled, guiltless).
3:4. Everyone who commits (practices) sin is guilty of lawlessness; for [that is what] sin is, lawlessness (the breaking, violating of God’s law by transgression or neglect–being unrestrained and unregulated by His commands and His will).
3:5. You know that He appeared in visible form and became Man to take away [upon Himself] sins, and in Him there is no sin [essentially and forever].
3:6. No one who abides in Him [who lives and remains in communion with and in obedience to Him–deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] commits (practices) sin. No one who [habitually] sins has either seen or known Him [recognized, perceived, or understood Him, or has had an experiential acquaintance with Him].
3:7. Boys (lads), let no one deceive and lead you astray. He who practices righteousness [who is upright, conforming to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action, living a consistently conscientious life] is righteous, even as He is righteous.
3:8. [But] he who commits sin [who practices evildoing] is of the devil [takes his character from the evil one], for the devil has sinned (violated the divine law) from the beginning. The reason the Son of God was made manifest (visible) was to undo (destroy, loosen, and dissolve) the works the devil [has done].
3:9. No one born (begotten) of God [deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin, for God’s nature abides in him [His principle of life, the divine sperm, remains permanently within him]; and he cannot practice sinning because he is born (begotten) of God.
3:10. By this it is made clear who take their nature from God and are His children and who take their nature from the devil and are his children: no one who does not practice righteousness [who does not conform to God’s will in purpose, thought, and action] is of God; neither is anyone who does not love his brother (his fellow believer in Christ).
3:11. For this is the message (the announcement) which you have heard from the first, that we should love one another,
3:12. [And] not be like Cain who [took his nature and got his motivation] from the evil one and slew his brother. And why did he slay him? Because his deeds (activities, works) were wicked and malicious and his brother’s were righteous (virtuous).
Daily Fountain Devotional 16 April 2024 STUDY:
The love of God that made him to seek for and restore us to a relationship with him is beyond human understanding; the magnitude is unimaginable.1 John 3: 1 paraphrased:I cannot explain this kind of love, it is too much for me, that God generously gave and did not hold back anything, even the Son, to make and call me his child.
The appreciation and appropriation of the love of God builds hope which in turn purifies. This hope enables us to practise righteousness instead of sin. For God has dealt with the root of sin when His love propelled Jesus to the cross for the destruction of the works of the devil.
Now, we must accept and appreciate this love of God: But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5: 8). We must sincerely believe and accept Jesus Christ and resolve to live for Him and truly serve him. This love will keep us going and ready to sacrifice so as to please Him.
This sincere love for God will definitely affect our relationship with Him; and in delightful obedience to his commandments, our families and neighbours will be loved and we will not deliberately hurt them. God’s love is generous to us; can we generously love Him in return?
Prayer
Lord open the eyes of my understanding to perceive how much you love me and help me to love without reservation. Amen.
Thought for Today: God says “If you delight in My Word, you will be fruitful and prosperous. Psalm 1:1-3”
