God's Mission
John 3:16-18
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. ~Jesus
Pondering Point
All people in this world will be judged by God. Some will end up condemned, but not because it is God's desires to do so. God's goal is not condemnation but – as you see in these couple of verses in John 3 – the goal is salvation: not perishing but having life eternal – brought into God’s presence rather than left out.
As disciples of Jesus, we want our goals to align with God's. People did not pick up an attitude of condemnation from Jesus – nor should they pick it up from us. In truth, people will end up standing condemned, but that's not our role. Our role is to help people to be in Christ. Why? Because we are told that in Christ there is no condemnation (see Romans 8:1).
Roman 8:1-5
1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, build into me a heart of love for the world that You and our Father in Heaven share. Then show me how to display this love for all so that as many as possible can see and experience Your love for them. Amen.
Micro-Meditation
Psalm 1:1-6
- Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers, - but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night. - That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers. - Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away. - Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. - For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
Read the verses of the Psalm.
Mark the words or phrases that catch your attention.
Meditate: talk (or better, write) with God about those words. Ask Him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect responses.
Teaching or Command of God
Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
The Promise
Psalm 139:2
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
Pondering Point
Could you make a case to God that you are one who meditates on His law day and night? What would you point to? How might the Spirit tweak (or even overhaul) your current practices?