Experiencing God - Day 34
Day 34 - Thursday, March 21
Read 1 John 4
Highlight
When we follow Jesus in obedience to love the world the way he did we should expect opposition the way did. We live in a time not all that much unlike the time of the early church. John is addressing the fact that there are people in the midst of these followers, some of whom were actually a part of the church at one time, that are denying the divinity of Christ. That sounds familiar. Our world is often telling us that it’s actually not loving to believe that Jesus is the only way to be reconciled to God.
John is reminding us here that we cannot have one without the other. There is no love without truth. We cannot love God enough, be ‘good’ enough, do enough good deeds in the world to reconcile ourselves to a Holy God. It’s God’s love for us expressed in the sacrifice of Jesus and then lived out through the power of his Holy Spirit that enables us to truly love one another. ‘Love’ of any other kind is not just a pale comparison. Any love not rooted in the truth of Jesus’ divinity is a falsehood that actually leads people further from God, who is himself love, and therefore isn’t loving at all.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Read 1 John 4
Highlight
When we follow Jesus in obedience to love the world the way he did we should expect opposition the way did. We live in a time not all that much unlike the time of the early church. John is addressing the fact that there are people in the midst of these followers, some of whom were actually a part of the church at one time, that are denying the divinity of Christ. That sounds familiar. Our world is often telling us that it’s actually not loving to believe that Jesus is the only way to be reconciled to God.
John is reminding us here that we cannot have one without the other. There is no love without truth. We cannot love God enough, be ‘good’ enough, do enough good deeds in the world to reconcile ourselves to a Holy God. It’s God’s love for us expressed in the sacrifice of Jesus and then lived out through the power of his Holy Spirit that enables us to truly love one another. ‘Love’ of any other kind is not just a pale comparison. Any love not rooted in the truth of Jesus’ divinity is a falsehood that actually leads people further from God, who is himself love, and therefore isn’t loving at all.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Posted in Experiencing God