Topic: Love and Accountability [Church of God Mission International] Above Only Daily Devotional 21 August 2021
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Love and Accountability
John 21:16-12(TPT), Romans 14:12
Jesus repeated his question the second time, “Simon, son of John , do you burn with love for me?” Peter answered, “Yes, my Lord! You know that I have great affection for you!” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. Then Jesus asked him again, “Peter, son of John, do you have great affection for me?” Peter was saddened by being asked the third time and said , “My Lord , you know everything. You know that I burn with love for you!” Jesus replied, “Then feed my lambs!” *So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
The love of God should fill our hearts to the point that it overflows and become the driving force for everything we do. Our love for God is a response to God’s great love for us. We love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19 ). It is the love of God for us that fuels our love for Him. The more conscious we are of how much God loves us , the more we will respond in love to Him.
Jesus came to show us how much God the Father loves us. That is why He did everything He did for us. We have been accepted in the beloved ( Ephesians 1:6 ). We are now God’s beloved children in the same way that Jesus is, O what a love and privilege to become the sins and daughters of God ( 1 John 3:1 ). Jesus assured us that God the Father loves us the same way He loves Him ( John 17: 23 ). In the Amplified Bible, John 16 : 27 confirms that God the Father loves you tenderly. A primary assignment of the Holy Spirit is to saturate our hearts with the love of God ( Romans 5:5). As the different dimensions of God’s love fills our hearts, the fullness of God overflows into our lives ( Ephesians 3:17-19). We need to reflect this same love that God has shown us to others. We must let this same love drive us in everything that we do.
We must also realize that like the parable of the talents (Matthew 25: 14-30 ). God has entrusted us with our lives and our responsibilities. He expects us to be faithful in the way we live and carry out those responsibilities. We will give account someday and we will be rewarded for our commitment and faithfulness (Revelation 22:12).
Do everything you do wholeheartedly as though you are doing it for Lord(Colossians 3:22). Avoid eye service. Don’t deceive yourself and deprive yourself of your rewards . Being faithful will make you bold when it is time to give account of your stewardship.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, please fill my heart to overflow with your great and amazing love for me. Help me to be conscious of the day of accountability.
Bible In One Year Reading Plan
Job 1:1-3:26, 1 Corinthians 14:1-17, Psalm 37::12-29 & Proverbs 21:25-26.