Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

 ³  Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God,

 ⁴  got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself.”  John 13:1-4. 

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The love of Jesus for “His own” struck me as a good theme for this devotion.  Although the main point of this Scripture concerns a personal testimony, it is first noteworthy to comment that Jesus did not describe the objects of His love as everyone, but rather, Jesus described the objects of His love as “His own”.  Moreover, Jesus separates “His own” and contrasts them from everyone else by His use of the next phrase “who were in the world”.  Concerning this point, an excellent chapter to read is John Chapter 17, particularly starting with verse 9 Click here: John 17 – Passage Lookup – New American Standard Bible – BibleGateway.com       

Even yesterday, I read one church’s belief:  “Humanity – We believe that all people are loved by God, reflect God’s glory and are in need of salvation (John 3.16)”.  Well, it is true that all people reflect God’s glory (to some extent as images of God) and that all people are in need of salvation.  But, it is false that all people are loved by God, and it is misleading to just state that all people reflect God’s glory without stating anything about the effect of sin on man (“Total depravity” is how Reformed people would describe that condition.) 

Such false belief can lead to other false beliefs (such as “universal atonement”) and has consequences that go beyond the scope of this devotion.  We should not engage in brash, useless, and hurtful speculation such as:  “I am loved by God, but you are not loved by God.”  No one’s name beyond the first century is written in the Bible.  Our attitude should be humble such as described in 2 Peter 1:10 (“Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you;  for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;”)  Let me just conclude with this comment.  Does it not seem at least a little inconsistent, or more difficult to believe:  “all people are loved by God, reflect God’s glory” but “all people are in need of salvation“?   

Getting to the main point of this devotion, it is good to be reminded of Jesus’ love for us, “His own”. 

Yesterday, I was a little discouraged about little financial pressures.  I was bothered and moody as I watched TV last night, and I did not sleep well. So, as I often do when I am troubled and restless, I got up and read the Scripture for the devotion for the next day.

As I read “having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.”, I was reminded of Romans 5:3-6.

“And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;  and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;  and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.  For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.”  Romans 5:3-6. 

I laid back down and repeated this Romans 5:3-6 Scripture until I fell asleep and I dreamed it.  I woke up feeling better.

But, going back to my thoughts as I repeated that Scripture, here are some of my thoughts. 

I remembered a childhood friend’s father who once described me as “tenacious”, and I felt better about the value of such “proven character”.  This is also a lesson in itself about the importance of encouragement.

I also noted that this hope does not disappoint.  I thought of Romans 8:32.  “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”    I felt more convinced about this hope which does not disappoint.

When I meditated on the last sentence (“For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.”), I thought that our hope is not based on our wisdom or skill;  our hope is based on Christ.  If I did not motivate Christ to die and save me by my wisdom or skill in dealing with financial pressures or other troubles, then there is hope for Bill and others too.