Browsing Tag

getting along

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – 1 John 4:20

 

If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? – 1 John 4:20

Today’s Bible verse uses some pretty strong language. It says that if you say you love God, but you hate another Christian brother or sister that you’re a liar. Think about that for a moment, if you don’t love your brother or sister, then you’re a liar if you say you love God. To really love God is to put aside your thoughts and desires for God’s thoughts and desires. So when you run across that person you can’t stand, or that lady at church that sings too loud you’re supposed to love them despite their flaws and shortcomings. To really love God is to treat other people with love and respect.

As a Christian there should be something different about you. You should be a person that others are drawn to. If you choose to show extraordinary love to others, you’ll stand out from everyone else. God is calling you as a Christian to live your life differently. Normally, if someone treats you badly, you would want to get back at them.  Instead, you should be striving to be more like Christ everyday.

So the next time someone does something that drives you crazy instead of hating them or seeking revenge, choose to do something different. Choose to let God’s love flow through you and be an example to those around you of God’s great love. As you love God, you will begin to love others also. That’s what we’re called to do!

 

Teen Devotion 1 john 4:20

Secrets of Getting Along With Your Siblings

Devotion on Getting Along With SiblingsYour brother is at it again. He stole the remote while you went to the bathroom and now won’t let you watch your favorite show. Living with siblings that drive you crazy can be really hard. So, what do you do when your siblings do things that drive you crazy?

A normal response would be to hit your brother, steal the remote and continue watching your TV show. But is that behavior right? In society today, a lot of the things that are considered normal, aren’t right. Just because something is normal doesn’t mean that its the right thing to do. The Bible encourages us to be different. In the Bible, we’re encouraged to love and forgive those who treat us wrong.

[Tweet “Just because something is normal doesn’t mean that its the right thing to do. – @studentdevos”]

Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Being kind and forgiving someone when they’ve done you wrong isn’t normal. Normally, people would hold a grudge, use the silent treatment, or try to get revenge. But the Bible challenges us in light of what Christ did for us to treat others with love and kindness.

So when your brother or sister does that thing that drives you crazy, remember to not be normal but different. Choose to love your siblings and forgive them when they do wrong.

If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. – 1 John 4:20