JULY 30, 2025 ~ FROM A PASTOR'S HEART

JULY 30 DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READING: JOHN 12:20-26

There is an old saying, "You are known by the company you keep." That is a truism that is also reflected in the Scripture, "Don't be deceived, bad company corrupts..." And while that is true from a negative prospective, it is also true from a positive perspective. We are known by who we genuinely follow. To be a disciple is to reflect your master. Jesus said, "A student is not greater than his teacher..." This phrase denotes that a student, while not being greater than the teacher, will certainly reflect the teacher in the way they think, speak and act.

Jesus told His disciples that people would know they are His by their love for one another. Our love for one another is the clearest evidence that we are followers of Christ. This is not the emotional love that the world teaches, based solely on feelings and many times on what self might get out of it...that kind of false love is here today and gone tomorrow. Biblical love is a giving love, it always sees others as more important than self...it is based on truth...it never rejoices in evil...it is accountable and yet forgiving...it is not based on feelings, but always touches our emotions...it brings correction, but is never brutal. It is a reflection of our God who "demonstrated His love for us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

If we follow Christ, our lives will reflect Him...if our lives are not reflective of Christ, then we are following another!

Please share your thoughts.