God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. 1 John 4:16b-17
Does God care what you do with your life?
It was time to decide. Elias had studied hard, scored well on all the tests and gotten scholarships. Now he had to choose between two different schools to continue his education. He agonized over which school was the right choice. Elias had been following Jesus for several years now and he really wanted to pick the school God wanted him to go to! “If I pick the wrong one, will I miss God’s will for my life?” he worried. Elias went to his pastor and his pastor gave him this wise advice: “God wants you to be like Jesus at whatever school you pick.”
God has said a lot about how He wants us to live. His book, the Bible, is rich with counsel on how to live an abundant life. He’s told us that that a life of following Jesus, starts with surrendering the heart and will (Romans 12:1). But unlike human parents who want their children to get prestigious educations, jobs, or follow in the family business, God looks for a life that is marked by love. The Bible book of 1 John says: “God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world (1 John 4:16b-17).
A Christian leader, writer and thinker from the 4th century named Augustine put it this way: “Love God and do whatever you please: for the soul trained in love to God will do nothing to offend the One who is Beloved.”[1] Let’s live out love in all we do.
[1] “Love God and Do What You Will.” The Life, Power to Change, 21 Jan. 2025, https://thelife.com/devotionals/love-god-and-do-what-you-will. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
