CGMI Above Only 31 August 2017, Devotional by Rev. M.E. Benson-Idahosa - Understanding the Love and Kindness of God the Father

Topic: Understanding the Love and Kindness of God the Father — Thursday August 31, 2017.

Text: Psalm 130:3-4 (NLT), Romans 2:4 (NLT), Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)
Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you. *Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? *The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.”

God uses His unrelenting love and kindness to draw us to Himself. He wants our understanding of His great and unimaginable love for us to motivate us to love Him, serve Him and do every single thing that we do. God did not send Jesus into the world to condemn the world but to save the world with His love, John 3:17. He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve, Psalm 103:10. He treats us based on what Christ has done for us. It is actually our understanding of the grace of God that teaches us to say yes to God and to say no to ungodliness, Titus 2:11-12 (NIV).

To the terribly ashamed and guilt ridden woman caught in adultery in John 8:10-11 (NLT), Jesus said "where are your accusers? Didn't even one of them condemn you?" "No, Lord," she said. And Jesus said, "Neither do I. Go and sin no more." If you were God, what would you have done to Saul of Tarsus on his way to Damascus to trouble and persecute the church, Acts 9:1-6? Do you remember how Zacchaeus was broken and reacted on his own when Jesus sighted him on the tree and chose to go to his house and dine with him, Luke 10:1-10? Do you remember how Peter felt when Jesus helped him catch an innumerable number of fish in Luke 5:4-10? Without prompting, Peter fell down on His knees and was so broken before Jesus. Why? Because it is the goodness of God that leads to repentance. As you grow in your understanding of God’s love and kindness towards you in Christ, it will break you and draw you closer to God. Today, God will manifest His love and kindness to you.

Prayer Focus: Think about God’s great love and kindness towards you in Christ and love, worship and thank Him right now.

Bible In A Year Reading Plan: Psalm 132-134; 1 Corinthians 11: 17-34

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CGMI Above Only Daily Devotional, was written by Most Rev. M.E. Benson-Idahosa, Archbishop of Church of God Mission International, CGMI.