DAILY DEVOTION, September 2, 2021

Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen (Galatians 1:3-5).

Grace and peace are two of Paul’s favorite words. God’s grace, His reaching out to save us even though we are unworthy, has brought us into the kingdom of God. Knowing we are among the redeemed brings peace to us. These two blessings flow to us because of the love of God and the sacrifice of His Son.

Notice also that Jesus not only delivered us from our sins, He also delivered us from this present evil age. Do you realize that the age we live in as we await the return of Jesus is evil? Yes, there are good people, yes there are faithful Christians, but evil is characteristic of the world in which we live. This why John warns us, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15).

We don’t want to fall in love with this world where evil abounds. While we appreciate the good things God has placed in the world, our love for God must transcend our love for the world. If you fall in love with this world, you are admitting that you do not love God. Our duty as Christians is not to love this evil world but to do what we can to transform it through our service to Jesus. Jesus will complete the transformation process when He returns.

Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your grace and peace, which I receive through faith in Jesus.  While I cannot transform the world, I can do my part to make the world a better place by obedience to Jesus. In His name, I pray, Amen.