Bible Reading: 1 John 4:7-21
Why does a dog or cat stay with and obey its master?
The animal doesn’t stay because it has to stay. In fact, it is free to go each time a
door is left ajar. The dog or cat stays because its master loves it and provides it with food and shelter.
In return, the animal loves its master. It chooses to stay with its master, obey its master, and love its master because its master loved it first.
The same is true of God. 1 John 4:19 tells us, “We love because he [God] first loved us.” God loved you and I before we were ever born. He provides us with food, clothes, and shelter. He gave His Son, Jesus, to die in our place so we wouldn’t have to die because of our sins. God loves us and He wants us to stay with Him, obey Him, and love Him.
However, God won’t force us to stay with Him, obey Him, or love Him. He leaves the choice up to each one of us.
The door is open. Each one of us must choose for ourselves: Stay with Jesus, the Master, or go our own way.
Which life will you choose?
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:10
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I choose to stay with You, obey You, and love You because You loved me first. In Jesus’ name. Amen.