The following is an excerpt from Martin Luther that I thought tied well into yesterday's verse. This one was selected for a devotion based on I Timothy 1:5:
The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith."
"Love, as everyone already knows, is simply being kind to someone, showing that person goodness, and offering friendship...Choosing a couple of people who are pleasing to you, who do what you want, and then being friendly to those people is a long way from love. This is a soiled love that doesn't come from a pure heart. It's nothing more than dirt.
For love that flows 'from a pure heart' thinks this way: God has commanded me to direct my love to my neighbor. My heavenly Father wants me to be favorable to everyone whether friends or enemies, just as he is. He lets the sun rise and shine on both good and evil people. God shows goodness to those who continually dishonor him and misuse what he has provided through their disobedience, blasphemy, sin, and shameful behavior. In the same way, he lets rain fall on both the thankful and the unthankful. He give money, property, and all types of things from the earth to the very worst scoundrels. Why does he do this? He does it out of genuine, pure love. is heart is full and overflowing with love. He pours his love over everyone, leaving no one out, whether good or bad, worthy or unworthy. This love is righteous, godly, whole and complete. It doesn't single out certain people or separate people into groups. He freely give his love to all." -Martin Luther
Thank you, God, for your love outpoured on me! I don't deserve this kind of love; help me to remember this when I am hesitant to love or seek out others based on anything. You love all. Help me to love all.
That excerpt from Martin Luther's devotion says it best! Where did you find that?
ReplyDeleteI found this in a devotional called Faith Alone. It includes short excerpts from Luther's writings, based on a key verse. Many of them are really great!
ReplyDelete