Daniel 8 / 1 John 2:1-17 / Psalm 120 / Proverbs 28:25-26
All of us look for those to emulate (copy), those we can admire, those we can even call heroes. We are all wired to look outside ourselves for greatness, hoping we can also be better people. No one wants to be evil unless they are deceived by the devil. Most of us want to improve, grow, and mature.
So, how do we find the right role model? Who should we look to as an example of how to live? There is nothing wrong with admiring those who have worked hard and are living with honesty and integrity. Those who are living this way should be prepared to be watched and to have others wish to pattern their lives after them. That is both humbling and sobering.
While we may look to others who are mature and living life with integrity, there is another we should also look to, so we know how to live. When Jesus came to earth as a man, He was God in the flesh. He lived with the same joys and sorrows we did, only He lived without sin. Jesus also showed us, by His example, what the Father is like.
Here is our portion of scripture for today’s thoughts. It is from 1 John 2:7-11 inthe New Living Translation, (NLT): “Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment for you; rather it is an old one you have had from the very beginning. This old commandment—to love one another—is the same message you heard before. Yet it is also new. Jesus lived the truth of this commandment, and you also are living it. For the darkness is disappearing, and the true light is already shining.
If anyone claims, ‘I am living in the light,’ but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness. Anyone who loves a fellow believer is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble. But anyone who hates a fellow believer is still living and walking in darkness. Such a person does not know the way to go, having been blinded by the darkness.”
I’m noticing something about the book of 1 John; it is very direct in presenting the Truth. If you have been reading the book along with my devotionals, you already have probably had your toes stepped on a few times. I know I have. Jesus lived according to the commandment; to love one another. And we are to do the same.
If we hate a fellow follower of Jesus, we are deceived and living in darkness. I think each of us should take a few minutes and ask God if we are living in light and love, or if we have some forgiving to do. I hope you take the time to check your heart; I certainly have.
Jesus looked past the sins and shortcomings of others, realizing they needed an encounter with love and truth. Jesus was both love and truth. He brought that needed encounter to everyone who would receive Him.
We must do the same. We must be willing to look past the trauma and the drama, as I’ve said before, and love someone the way Jesus loves them. Sometimes that requires a lot of patience. Not everyone gets it quickly so we must be prepared to walk with others until they can hear Truth. Truth is heard when Love is present. Be willing to be the Love of Jesus to those God brings to you.
