Thursday, December 3

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020

"And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.  The one who keeps God's commands lives in him, and he in them.  And this is how we know that he lives in us:  We know it by the Spirit he gave us." (1 John 3:23,24)

These verses tightly encapsulate the interrelationship of faith and obedience.  Coming to believe in Jesus, we find from His love the impetus to love Him and to love people.  This love for God and others completes the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 22:34-40)

John then highlights how God has secured His presence with His people through sending His Spirit.  Ephesians 1:14 discusses the "seal" of the Holy Spirit, by which God marks us as with a security deposit.  In ancient times, a king's seal declared ownership and authenticity for a document.  In a similar way, the Holy Spirit marks us as God's genuine possession.

Despite the great truth here, we can often fall short of our calling.  We are too easily satisfied with small created things, which leave us too full to hunger for God.  The rush and bustle of the Christmas season historically have sapped me of the joy and wonder of celebrating God's presence with us through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  This year, however, we may be naturally slowed down, and it gives us time to appreciate everything more.

How have you spent your extra time since November 23?  Were you able to savor greater moments of thanksgiving for what God has done in your life?  How could you continue that celebration of thanksgiving for Him in this month of December?

Lord God, thank You for drawing us to Yourself and planting in us a heart of love for You and others.  We know that we love because You first loved us.  Thank You for carrying us through this terribly difficult year.  Help us to savor all that You are and have done for us.  Shape us into Your sculpture through the power of the Holy Spirit.  In Jesus's mighty Name, amen.