Today’s devotion comes from 1 Peter 4:7-11. God willing, the next devotion will be three days from now, Sunday, January 13, 2013.
“7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. 8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaint. 10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:7-11.
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Similar to “faith without works is dead” (see James 2:18-26), love without works is dead. Today’s devotion exhorts us: “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God”. Verse 10.
“Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.” Romans 12:6-13.
Therefore, we know our duty. But, our eyes tend to drift down to ourselves and our own willpower to do our duty.
But, there is hope!
We can keep our eyes on God and what He has done for us.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10.
“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13.
“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. ” Philippians 1:6.
“So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.” 1 Corinthians 14:12
Christ “… gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.” Titus 2:14
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 