Topic: Our Most Important Reputation as Believers [Church of God Mission International] Above Only Daily Devotional 29 August 2021
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Above Only Daily Devotional
By: Archbishop M E Benson Idahosa
SUNDAY AUGUST 29
Our Most Important Reputation as Believers
John 13:34-35(LB), John 17:20-22(GNB)
“And so I am giving a new commandment to you now—-love each other just as much as I love you. Your strong love for each other will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” ‘I pray not only for them, but also for those who believe in me because of their message. I pray that they may all be one. Father! May they be in us, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they be one, so that the world will believe that you sent me. I gave them the same glory you gave me, so that they may be one , just as you and I are one.
Our most important reputation as believers is to be known as disciples of Christ. The way the world will truly know us as disciples of Christ is not by the way we pray or quote scriptures. Although important, the way the world will truly recognise us as disciples of Christ is by our love for one another. The world is looking to see a higher and different kind of love from us. It is not enough to simply talk about Christ and the love of God. Talk is cheap. The world wants to see Christ and the love of God in us.
Christ is seen in us as the love of God is reflected from our lives. It is that kind of love that moves the world into seeking an experience with God and compels those in the world into His service.
It is only as we focus on Christ and His love for us that we are able to exude that same love from our lives . This is something that we must passionately strive towards and yearn for. Can you see the passion with which Jesus prayed for us to walk in love and unity in our second text above? Jesus assured us that when we are one like Him and the Father are one , the world will believe that God the Father sent Him. They will believe this because they will see Christ in us.
The Bible reveals that no matter who we are or what we do, without love we are nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). The reward for our good works will be based on if they were born out of the love of God and not our selfish motives. “Love is patient and kind ; it is not jealous or conceited or proud ; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs ; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. Love never gives up….”(1 Corinthians 13:4-7a).
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, please fill my heart more and more with your love and help me to manifest your love more to others.
Bible In One Year Reading Plan
Job 31:1-33:33, 2 Corinthians 3:1-18, Psalm 43:1-5 & Proverbs 22:8-9.