JANUARY 18
MATTHEW 5:6_Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness…
If we were all created in the image of a righteous God, why is the world so wicked? The answer lies in creation itself. We were all created with a free will. We make our own choices. We are not puppets on a string that can only do their master’s bidding.
It took a lot of love on God’s part to allow the thing He created to reject Him. But God understood without freedom there can never be love. True love cannot be forced. True love comes freely from the heart.
You can never truly love someone if you have no choice in the matter. By the same token, you can never be truly loved by one who is forced to love you.
Although you were born with the desire to give and receive love, you were also born with the freedom to choose or reject it. That works with people as well as with God. You may not choose to love God, but from the day of your birth (and even before)He chose to love you.
Does the same apply to righteousness? You were born in the image of a righteous God. Do you have the freedom to reject righteousness?
Don’t miss tomorrow!
PRAYER
Righteous God, Thank You for giving me a free will. Help me use it to live in Your image, choosing Your righteousness. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.
Christ chose to love me—He can help me love Him!
The Works of Her Hands 