Love, by God

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

Love One Another

1 John 3:1-6  The Message

3 What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are. But that’s also why the world doesn’t recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he’s up to.

^2-3 But friends, that’s exactly who we are: children of God. And that’s only the beginning. Who knows how we’ll end up! What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed, we’ll see him—and in seeing him, become like him. All of us who look forward to his Coming stay ready, with the glistening purity of Jesus’ life as a model for our own.
^4-6 All who indulge in a sinful life are dangerously lawless, for sin is a major disruption of God’s order. Surely you know that Christ showed up in order to get rid of sin. There is no sin in him, and sin is not part of his program. No one who lives deeply in Christ makes a practice of sin. None of those who do practice sin have taken a good look at Christ. They’ve got him all backward.

For ReflectionYou have been exposed! You have seen love. And that's what makes life easy and at the same time difficult.  Child of God, you think differently, you act differently, you are moved by the love with which God has blessed you.  You are apart from the material cultural norm.

None of this is easy.  There is no absolute rule save that you love God, and humankind as yourself.  This should make the decision to forgive, to express compassion, and to foster justice and peace easy.  What are the consequences of your righteousness in a Godless world?  How are you blessed and how do you suffer righteousness?

Pray

prayers of thanksgiving that you have been blessed by God.  Pray that, having seen the light, you will work toward the fulfillment of God's Kingdom on Earth.  Pray that you will have the courage to follow the rule of love.