Introductory Thoughts
God's children are supposed to be easily recognizable through their love one for another (John 13:35). Today's passage teaches Christians to be both kind and forgiving. In the midst of these two exemplary qualities, the Lord desires His children to show forth a tender heart. This means that our hearts ought to be easily moved when other believers are experiencing either joy or distress in their lives (Romans 12:15). Unfortunately, instead of exemplifying a tender heart, far too many believers are becoming more like the world by displaying a divisive spirit and by devouring one another (Galatians 5:15). Believers who are hard-hearted toward others are generally hard-hearted toward the Lord as well (1 John 3:17).
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): Would you want another child to feel happy for you if you got something new? Do you feel happy for others when they do? If you're sick, do you want people to pray for you? Do you do the same for them? Luke 6:31 says that we should.
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(For everyone): Are you easily moved to pray for others? Are you moved to tears at the sorrows of your brothers and sisters in Christ? Do you rejoice when others rejoice?
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Do you bite and devour other believers? Do you grow jealous when God blesses your brother or sister in Christ? Do you pray for Gods blessings upon them?
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask the Lord to give you the right love for others.
- Ask God to stir you for the needs of others.
Song
He Was Not Willing
