Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 7-9; Luke 13:1-21
Memory Verse: “And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?” Luke 13:16 (KJV).
The Bible says in Luke 6:32 (KJV), “For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.” because God expects you to love everyone whether they show love to you or not. That is what differentiates you as a true child of God. This implies that you should do everything, out of love. This means above rules, traditions, personal gains, religious doctrines amongst others, your action should flow out of love. The Lord Jesus demonstrated this when he saw a woman that had a spirit of infirmity that bowed her permanently for eighteen years. The religious doctrine at that time was that nothing, including healing, be done on Sabbath day (Luke 13:14) but Jesus felt compassion for the woman and showed love to her by healing her on that day! And his response to the indignation of religious people on why he healed her on a sabbath is in Luke 13:16 (KJV), “And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?” So what ever action you take, please ensure it shows love. In your dealings with employees, employers, peers, family members, debtors, creditors, friends and acquaintances, it is important you exhibit love.
In addition to putting love above religious doctrines, Jesus also showed that we should not procrastinate whatever can be done now. The people at that scene wanted the woman’s healing to be delayed till another day but who knows if the woman will ever get the opportunity again if she missed it. Besides, she would have had to endure the pain for another twenty four hours.
Whatever situation you are facing now, whether at home, work or church, it’s important you act out of love. 1 Corinthians 16:14 (KJV) says, “Let all your things be done with charity.” Furthermore, love forgives and disregards offenses and this will further strengthen the bond of brotherhood. That’s why we are enjoined to have godly love in 1 Peter 4:8 (KJV), “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” When you do this, you will realise your relationship with God will get deeper because God is love.
Action Point: Whatever you do from today, let the motive be love.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero