The One Who Does Evil Has Not Seen God

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The One Who Does Evil Has Not Seen God

We usually have reasons  for our actions.     If we know someone important is watching,  we might tend  to behave ourselves  in a more seemly manner.     Sadly,  people will often be disobedient  when they feel they will be able  to get away with it.     They can even get rather bold  with their sin  when they have a bunch of people around  who approve  of such ill behavior.    (That’s one reason  to keep good company.)

Whatever we are like  from day-to-day  tells a whole lot  about our relationship  with God.     The apostle John says  in 3 John 1:11,  “The one who does good  is of God;  the one who does evil  has not seen God.”     In other words,  our relationship  with our Creator and Savior   guides our living.     When we see the Lord  as our Creator,  Savior,  Redeemer,  and Father,  our love for Him  will naturally lead us  to imitate His goodness and love.

But,  if we refuse  to see God  as our Creator,  Savior,  Redeemer,  and Father,  our first tendency will be  to live  in defiance  of His word to us.     We will choose  to live only for our immediate gratification  of whatever it is  that we think we want — riches,  fame,  power over others,  physical pleasures,  entertainment,  or whatever.     And,  in all this,  we are only robbing ourselves  of real peace and joy — along with our eternal salvation.

If in our despondency,  we would like to see God  in the right way,  as He really is,  we need to know  that He is always near — always inviting us  to draw near to Him.     He is ready and most willing  to wash away  all our sins  and open up our eyes  to His grace  in Christ Jesus.

Just how can we get  to see God?     By meditating on His word  and discovering  how faithful and loving  He has been  from all eternity.     We let God teach us  as we study His word  to us.     In the Bible,  we will be able  to trace  how God keeps all His promises,  and then we will see  how He keeps His promises,  even today.     The more we see of God  in His word,  the more He will be able  to strengthen us  in His truth.     That means,  our reasons  for our actions  will become aligned  with God’s word.     When we see God  for who He is,  we will want  to imitate His goodness  because it is awesome.

Then,  in the pleasure  of God’s salvation,  we say,  “Hallelujah!     Lord,  thank You  for opening up our eyes  to see the magnificent glory  of Your love  for each and every one of us.     May we always live  in the wondrous light  of Your ways.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

 

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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