1 John 3:16-24 (NRSV)
Read 1 John 3:16-24 on biblegateway.com
Verse 16We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us-and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. Verse 17How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Verse 18Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. Verse 19And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him
Verse 20whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Verse 21Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; Verse 22and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him.
Verse 23And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Verse 24All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us.
Devotion
We live in a time when many are confused and worried about the economic situation. What should be our response? The example that John uses is this: if we have material possessions and see a brother or sister in need, love will compel us to act. Just as Christ laid down his life for us, we are to lay down our lives for one another. We are called to be the hands and feet of Christ, so that where there is greed, hatred, and injustice, we act to bring His love to the world. We need to listen to the Spirit of God in our lives and discern where and how we are to act and then we respond out of our unique giftedness.
Prayer
Lamb of God, show us how to be your hands and feet to those in need. Just as you laid down your life for us, help us to be filled with compassion for our brothers and sisters. Amen.