AFTERNOON DEVOTION
Afternoon Devotion: "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." - Colossians 3:12-15
God is love; and everything that God does is love. Love is the law of God's kingdom. It is the bond of perfection that ties all the other virtues together. Love is necessary for the body to have unity and harmony, but it is also important for growth. Growth happens when love is combined with truth. "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work" (Ephesians 4:15-16). It is a sign of spiritual maturity when we can "speak the truth in love" to our brothers and sisters in Christ. If we truly love each other we will be willing to tell each other the truth. When the church isn't being fed and nourished with the Word of God then the people are easily swayed (and divided) by opinion rather than truth (v. 14). God has brought us together as one body so we can hold each other accountable and build one another up in love. We are to be helpful to one another so the body will experience fruitfulness and growth, and not be picked apart. "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ" (Colossians 2:8).
God gave us His Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth. "But when He, the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth" (John 16:13a). It is vital that we not just come to the truth, but rather get into it; and draw fresh supplies from the Holy Spirit every day. The truth needs to take hold of us; if we don't let it we will easily be led astray. There is so much error mingled with the truth today that many have trouble distinguishing between them. That is why we need to depend fully on the Spirit to guide us, because He will never let us wander in the wrong direction. He will keep us on the right path that will lead us to accomplish God's will for our life. "He will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" (John 14:26b). It is vital that we feed on the Word of God so we can nourish the spiritual life that has been deposited within us; and so we can be equipped with truth to edify and encourage the rest of the Body. The most useful people in the world are those who hold the truth - and not just hold it in our hands, but have it settled deep within our hearts, so that out of the overflow of the heart will come a fountain of life and love that will bring comfort and healing to a very sick world. Holy Spirit, lead us and guide us into all truth so that we will speak with authority and love, and be equipped with the answers that the world so desperately needs. Help us lead such holy lives that we impact this land with Your love and truth. May we do all for the love of God as He has done for us. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels,
but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge,
and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,
but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast,
it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease;
where there are tongues, they will be stilled;
where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child,
I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.
Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love."
(1 Corinthians 13:1-13)
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