+DEV+ A Pat on the Back

Date: June 15, 2009 9:40 PM

Topic: +DEV+ A Pat on the Back

A Pat on the Back

Scripture Focus: John 3:16-21

“God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

The apostle Paul spent hours healing, preaching, and tending to the needs of others. He toiled endlessly for Christ’s sake. A proverbial pat on the back now and then surely was well deserved. Fortunately, most of the time he remembered who really deserved the credit and he offered it freely to his Savior.

Many of us offer our service to God daily through various activities. We are teachers, caretakers, advocates for the poor and needy, and we spend countless hours praying for lost loved ones and those less fortunate. We too are often tempted to congratulate ourselves for a job well done. Not only do we pat ourselves on the back, we expect others to recognize our efforts.

For no reason other than His love for us, God gave His one and only Son. When the world hated Him, He loved them to death. His death. As I ponder on the awesomeness of this, my hand slowly works its way off my back and rises in worship to the One who truly deserves it.

Insight: Because God loved us through death, we can now love Him through life. Considering the price He paid, it seems a reasonable sacrifice.