WATCH:

OR READ:

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. – 1 John 4:10; Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand – Isaiah 41:10; Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. – Hebrews 13:8. All of the previously shared scripture have one thing in common: they describe the character of God.  1 John 4:10 tells us that God is love:

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins”.

What is beautiful about God’s love, is that He initiates the loving. God does not wait for us to love Him first. In fact, God does not wait for us to even acknowledge Him or know that He exists. How many people today are alive, breathing and in good health and do not even have a knowledge of God, far less believe in Him. Yet, God extends His mercy toward them with granting them life, isn’t that love?

What about the second text that I shared:

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”

Isaiah 41:10

This scripture tells us two things about God: one, that He is righteous and two, that He will help and strengthen us whenever we need His assistance, which in my opinion, is every day. Amazingly, scripture reveals to us that we have a righteous and supportive God. Looking at the last text, it states:

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever”

Hebrews 13:8

In other words, there is no hypocrisy, no backsliding, no changing of story with Jesus and by extension the God-head. They are steadfast, their declaration of love for the human race is unwavering, their willingness to support us and redeem us is constant and unyielding, their willingness to provide, care and protect us will never change.

Now, so far in this devotional series, we have learnt that God created us for a purpose, and that purpose is to glorify His name. Furthermore, we learned that glorifying God’s name, means we, as His created beings, are expected to live our lives with the character of God shining in and through us. So if part of God’s character is about loving others even when love is not forthcoming, living a righteous life, being supportive to those in need and being steadfast in love and all the characteristics of holiness, then we too as representatives of God are expected to display such characteristics in our lives. As a people that long to know God, as a people that long to represent God, as a people that long to glorify God and fulfil our purpose, it begins with letting the character of God bear fruit in our lives. Yes, we cannot be worshippers, church leaders or church-goers, and not have the character of God shine through us. Moreover, the world needs people today who are representatives of God, who are willing to love and respect their family members despite disfunction, to love and respect their co-workers despite challenges that may arise in the workplace. We are expected to be our brother’s keeper and help others as best as we can. And lastly, the good and righteousness people see in us, must not last a day, week or year. We too must be steadfast. We must be like God and be unchanging in our character. When we accomplish this, we begin to walk in our purpose, when we accomplish this, it gives God the glory.