February 8, 2022 - Good Morning! It's Tuesday, February 8.
We continue with our week-long series - leading to Valentine's Day - on the subject of love. Today we focus on a single verse - I John 3:1.
See how great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God.
Let's quickly look at three parts of that great verse. The first word, "see", in the original Greek, is more aptly translated as "look at this!" The apostle John is excited to share this encouragement with his readers - to share it with you and me. And then there's that word "lavished". The King James version uses "bestowed", and most other translations just use "given". But I like "lavished", don't you? It reminds us that God spared no expense, that He went over and above, pressed down, shaken together, overflowing... all because of His great love for us.
And finally, those last three words - "children of God". A minister once took a vacation with his family to England. While there, they toured several ancient castles. And as he walked through those hallowed halls where kings had lived, he tried to imagine what it was like to be a young person growing up there. What was it like to be of royal lineage, to be children of the king? Well, you and I are children of the King, children of God! How could this be possible? Only through His love.
I'm reminded of the old hymn that the contemporary group "Mercy Me" rearranged and re-imagined for a new generation of worshipers...
O love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure, the saints' and angels' song!
Whisper a prayer of thanksgiving for His great love today. You are a child of the King.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
