Reverence and Awe

» Today's reading at Blue Letter Bible

Mysterium tremendum! "Having been justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God" - Romans 5:1-2. May God grant us the grace to grasp the grace He has for us this year.

Simon Peter stumbled in his walk of faith but he never stopped walking. He came to know the faithfulness of God like none of the other disciples. Following the resurrection, Christ appeared to Peter and asked him, "Peter, do you love me?" Peter certainly knew the Lord loved him, He witnessed His death, burial, resurrection and restoration but did Peter love the Lord? As I read through these devotionals I can't help thinking He is asking us the same question. Do you love me? Do you want to grow in the knowledge of Me as your Lord and Savior?

The two devotionals represent the two parties to this glorious relationship. In the evening portion Spurgeon points out that Christ, our Royal Brother knows us far better than we know Him. He never mistook His chosen but always beheld them as objects of His infinite affection. We like Joseph's brothers, until the Holy Spirit removed the veil from our eyes, withheld our hearts from Him and allowed Him no entrance to our love. Read 2 Peter 1:3-11, reflect on the eight qualities listed, ask the Lord to make them increasingly real in our lives. The final quality in the list is love.

God's love provided this wonderful grace that gives us what we don't deserve; gives us what Christ deserves and let's us go free. Paul said "I have been crucified with Christ! It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life that I live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me!" Personalize that, "the Son of God loves me, the Son of God died for me!"

We love Him because He first loved us. May the Holy Spirit fan that flame of love so we eagerly accept the challenge to grow in the grace and knowledge of our wonderful Savior, surrender to His will, and find our peace with God. Spurgeon says,

"He who grows not in the knowledge of Jesus, refuses to be blessed. An increase of love to Jesus and a more perfect apprehension of His love to us is one of the best tests of growth in grace."

Labels: Devotional, Morning and Evening, Spurgeon