Luke 12:34

Devotional Thoughts

By Jim Cymbala

A life of love is the only way to “please [God] in every way” (Colossians 1:10). Since God is an emotional being, he experiences joy and sadness just as we do. Our daily words and deeds can cause him displeasure or move him to rejoice over us with singing. What an amazing thought! Today you and I can please the God of the universe. Although he is beyond comprehension, omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient, his heart can still be touched by our loving actions, even in commonplace activities. What else but love could please a God of love?

Love is always the bottom line. That is why the Bible declares: “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love” (Galatians 5:6).

Even though the sign of God’s covenant with Abraham was the circumcision of all baby boys, a new day has dawned and a better covenant has been established. Circumcision, race, talent, money, fame, education, or anything else we highly treasure becomes irrelevant when compared with love. A loving person, or better yet, a church full of loving people, has tremendous power to influence people for God.

An elderly couple from a southern state once visited our church, and after the service they visited with me in my office. The man became very emotional as he said, “Pastor, we have never before worshiped with black or Latino people, never once in our lives. But when you directed folks to greet one another, all kinds of men I’ve never met hugged me as if I were their brother.” Tears filled his eyes as he continued, “I felt more love this morning from strangers than I’ve ever experienced in thirty years in my home church.” 

What a blessing! He didn’t mention my sermon or how the choir sang. What touched his heart and opened his eyes was God’s love flowing!