Today’s Devotion
Topic: Suffering In Love
Text: Acts 1: 3 (KJV)
“To whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” Amen
We are so familiar and too conversant with the scripture in John 3:16 that, we often rattle it and don’t really meditate on it for deeper revelations.
God loved us so much that, He offered His only Son. Now, Jesus Christ the Son, also loved us so much that, He decided to lay down His life…. an atonement for our sins. THIS IS LOVE!
But that love had to be tested and proven by SUFFERING. Act 1: 3 explains that He (Jesus) showed Himself alive after His suffering with evidence and proof that confirm the much love He has for us. The question is, How does Love relate to suffering?
Our Lord Jesus Christ is God’s greatest expression of love to the entire world. And for the sake of love, He had to suffer. Love has a direct correlation with suffering. This is because the demonstration of Love is based on the principles of sacrifice and giving. And sometimes that may cost you more than you are willing to pay. In the process, suffering becomes inevitable.
If we really desire to show love to our neighbours, we should be ready to suffer.
*For instance, if a neighbour is in need and you are the only one available to help, in spite of how small your resources may be or how “time- pressed” you are, you still must help. Yes, that may put you in an uncomfortable position and probably drain your coffers, but you still have got to give your all. Just like a mother may never stop supplying the needs of an impertinent child. She will endure all the pain because she loves the child.
Honestly, if we really love God, and have the passion for souls, we must be ready to lose something valuable. You remember that rich man who was asked to sell his possession and give to the poor, and follow Jesus? He was a righteous man anyway but because he wasn’t ready to suffer, his love wasn’t complete. (Matt 19: 16- 22)
To complete love, suffering is inevitable and we must be ready to face it at all times. That is why Apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians saying, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (6:9).
Meditate on this message therefore and begin to pray. Ask the Lord for the spirit of endurance even as you go through the suffering that has only come to you because you choose to Love. Being fully aware that “after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” (1 Peter 5:1). You will never be the same again!
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