Psalm of the Day: Psalm 91:1-16
Wisdom of the Day: Job 14:1-11
Scripture Reading: Luke 7:36-50
We see that grateful love is the secret of doing much for Christ. The woman showed far more honor to our Lord than the Pharisee. She "stood at His feet behind Him weeping." She "washed His feet with tears." She "wiped them with the hair of her head." She "kissed His feet, and anointed them with costly ointment." No stronger proofs of reverence and respect could she have given, and the secret of her giving such proofs, was love. She loved our Lord, and she thought nothing too much to do for Him. She felt deeply grateful to our Lord, and she thought no mark of gratitude too costly to bestow on Him.
More "doing" for Christ is the universal demand of all the Churches. It is the one point on which all are agreed. All desire to see among Christians more good works, more self-denial, more practical obedience to Christ's commands. But what will produce these things? Nothing but love. There never will be more done for Christ until there is more hearty love to Christ Himself. The fear of punishment, the desire of reward, the sense of duty are all useful arguments to persuade men to holiness, but they are all weak and powerless until a man loves Christ. When this principle gets hold of a man, you will see his whole life changed.
Let us never forget this. However much the world may sneer at "feelings" in religion, and however false or unhealthy religious feelings may sometimes be the great truth still remains, that love to Jesus is the secret of doing for Jesus. The heart must be engaged for Christ, or the hands will soon hang down. The affections must be enlisted into His service, or our obedience will soon stand still. It will always be the loving workman who will do most in the Lord's vineyard.
Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, help me to love you more.
Action Plan: How do I know that I love Jesus? What actions do I do that prove it? What can I do today to show my love for Christ? Memorize John 14:15.
This devotional was taken from The Gospel of Luke by J.C. Ryle published in 1858
and adapted by Pastor Tim Lewis of New England Shores Baptist Church.
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