“When you live a life of abandoned love, surrendered before awe of God, here’s what you’ll experience : Abundant life. Continual protection. And complete satisfaction!” Prov 19:23TPT
Once upon a time, I didn’t want Jesus. I was unhappy, always hurt feelings, and wanting revenge. Then I met Jesus and fell head over heels in love with Him. Still, I wanted to get even with people who’d hurt me in the past.
One day I read Mt. 6:15ESV “but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Oh how that hurt my heart, cutting deeply. If you’ve been reading these devotionals, you’ve likely read about the roads I walked learning to forgive.
Then God led me to another verse: “By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another” Jn 13:35NIV. Love them? This scripture had to be limited to just nice people right?
“But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” Mt 5:44NLT. That’s a bit much, don’t you think? Jesus must have knowledge which we don’t have. When I love enemies, I’m totally freed from what they did— AND— I begin reaping benefits: such as our text scripture.
Loving is the only way to live. Forgiving sets us instantly free from the bondage satan wanted us ensnared in. God teaches how to love more and avoid pitfalls! Living the exact opposite of the world’s ways, makes no sense to the human mind. But in the end, loving proves out to be the most successful way.
When we are obedient to love even our enemies, there are side-effects.
“There’s a private place reserved for the lovers of God, where they sit near him and receive the revelation-secrets of his promises.” Psm 25:14TPT
“Yet when holy lovers of God cry out to him with all their hearts, the Lord will hear them and come to rescue them from all their troubles.” Psm 34::17TPT
“The faithful lovers of God will inherit the earth and enjoy every promise of God’s care, dwelling in peace forever.” Psm 37:29TPT
“The godly will celebrate in the triumph of good over evil. And the lovers of God will trample the wickedness of the wicked under their feet!” Psm 58:10TPT
“Listen, you lovers of God! Hate evil, for God can keep you from wrong and protect you from the power of wickedness.” Psm 97:10TPT
“Their descendants will be prosperous and influential. Every generation of his godly lovers will experience his favor.” Psm 112:2TPT
If these promised benefits haven’t lit your fire, then your wood is sopping wet.
God wants to fulfill every promised side-effect. Yes, “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials, so that the authenticity of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1Pet 1:6-7BSB Stuff that hurts happens. Yet, God is on the other side of trials with benefits for us after being purified with fire.
Jesus informed us, trouble’s coming, Jn 16:33, but finished even verse 33 with a promise— “…But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Those eight words bridge life back to the side-effects we’ve been promised and He will fulfill. All that’s required for us to receive is to believe. Will you believe and receive? It’s your choice. You choose.
PRAYER: Almighty God, thank You for Your promises. Thank You for being faithful and true to Your Word. Be glorified in all these things. We desire Your side-effects in our lives, in Jesus’ name I pray.
by Debbie Veilleux
Copyright 2018 You have my permission to reblog this devotional for others. Please keep my name with this devotional as author. Thank you.
