Message of the day; The Good News – Motivation for Righteousness
Forgiveness by God is not a reason to then do whatever we want because we will be forgiven.
Forgiveness for our sin is offered by God who is looking for and expecting those who receive it to then go on to lead lives worthy of the high calling they have received.
This high calling is to be in communion, or relationship, with almighty God. To live in relationship with God implies that we will be obedient to all that God has commanded us.
If we live an unrighteous life without reforming, then there is no guarantee that we will be welcomed into eternity with God.
Jesus said: ‘If you love me, keep my commandments.’ (John 14:15)
The Apostle John wrote this: ‘Beloved, we should love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born from God and knows God. He who does not love, does not know God, because God is love. In this, the love of God was manifested in us that God has sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atonement on behalf of our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God is abiding in us and his love is perfected in us.’ (1 John 4:7-12)
So God’s love for us is our motivation to love God – to love Him more than anything or anyone.
If our lives are not primarily filled with love for Him and love for others, we must recognize we are missing the point. How do we change? We start by understanding what motivated Jesus toward us. In the light of that fact, we choose to imitate Him.
Can we do it? Yes we can. Will we do it perfectly? No. But we will learn, which is what being a disciple is all about.