July 21, 2022 God's Love for the Prideful

Dear beloved:

A friend from Kauai texted me on Monday announcing his 35th wedding anniversary. I was so thrilled to congratulate him and his wife. Later, he sent me a picture of a somewhat fancy glass bowl. I asked him what it is and he said that it is the wedding gift that I gifted them 35 years ago! I was so elated to find out that they not only kept the bowl but are using it regularly to serve fresh fruits! I realize that friends in Jesus share an unbreakable bond. Such a heart-warming story to share with you, my friends! We have a special bond in Jesus.

Last week, we looked at God's compassion for the rebel through the prodigal son. Today, we continue to study the same passage, but we turn towards the older son, discovering God's love for the prideful.

Today's Video: Prodigal Son Devo Session 2 by David Marvin

Today's Scripture: Luke 15: 25-32

Reflection

Are you a high performer, an accomplisher, or a person with strong work ethics? In what way does the older brother's reaction make his story relatable?

How often do you judge God’s love on your own behavior? How has today's teaching helped you see God’s love differently?

Respond

Focus on our ability to make right with God is arrogance. It is a sin according to Scripture, not more or less acceptable compared to other sins. We often believe the best things in life are earned. We work hard to reach personal goals: to run a marathon, to get our dream job, or to buy a house. While hard work is commended in the Bible, this mindset can infiltrate our relationship with God and cause us to believe that our hard work earns us God’s love.

God is our loving Father, and nothing we do can make him love us any less. Likewise, no effort can make him love us more. John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever ____________ in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Fill in the blank with multiple choice: (a) believes; (b) behaves.

The correct answer is (a) believes. He loves us fully and completely right now.

Conclusions

-One can be lost through rebellion (the prodigal son) or religion (the older son).

-In heaven, there are no good people, only forgiven people.

This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. (Romans 1:17a)

Comments

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