Scripture: 1st John 2:5-6
But the love of God is truly perfected in whoever keeps his word. This is how we know we are in him. The one who claims to remain in him ought to live in the same way as he lived.
Thought for the Day: The Danish Theologian, Soren Kierkegaard, wrote a prayer of which I offer a portion of it:
You have loved us first, O God… We speak of it in terms of history as if You loved us first… rather than that without ceasing You have loved us first many times and everyday and our whole life through. When we wake up in the morning and turn our soul toward You – You were there first – You have loved us first; if I rise at dawn and at that same second turn my soul toward You in prayer, You are there ahead of me, You have loved me first…
Kierkegaard’s prayer expresses the depth of God’s love that continues and continues to be the love that is there prior to every moment of life. In 1st John, this amazing love comes to fullness (perfection) within those who “keep” the word. The word we translate as keep, comes from the Greek word for observe/behold (Theoreo). We find it in Mark 12:41 where Jesus is observing/watching those who come to make an offering. When 1st John refers to keeping the word, it is something visible/observable. This would only make sense as the love of God that continues to love us first in every moment of time is a love that is always visible for the world to see.
Prayer: Allow for our lives to be in your life, O God, as your perfect and wonderful love continues to grow and develop within us. Amen.
TOMORROW’S STUDY
(Assuming the weather is ok)
Noon & 6:30pm
