THE LIVING WATER DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR FEBRUARY 20, 2022 (LOVE BEFORE LAW)
TOPIC: LOVE BEFORE LAW
Read John 8:1-11
1 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
2 Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them.
3 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst,
4 they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught b in adultery, in the very act.
5 Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?”
6 This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.
7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up g and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”
8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, h went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, i “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? j Has no one condemned you?”
11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and k sin no more.”
MEMORISE:
She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more” (John 8:11)
EXPOSITION
Most times, our systems fail because of misplaced priorities! The Law is made to have a just, fair and peaceful society. Yet, it is discovered that the law has not really helped mankind to desist from sin (Rom. 8:3). The Bible confirms that where the law is absent, there is no sin. Hence, the law reveals sin.
As good as the law seems to be, man has found it difficult to obey. It is now necessary to reconsider and put love first before the law. In your home, if you as parents are only interested in putting up the laws, rules and regulations for the children without showing them true love first, you cannot achieve result.
It must be relationship before rules, if we are to achieve our aims. If the law enforcement agents can take it upon themselves to have good rapport with the citizens, they would not have any difficulty in implementing the stated rules for the society, especially, as the whole world commemorates World Day of Social Justice today. In fact, this makes their job easier to do. However, the officers are only interested in bullying, traumatising, attacking and extorting the citizens even when we are not fully aware of what they want us to do!
Coming down to the Church, if there is a place love is needed most, it is the church of God. Jesus loves His Church first. He is not hard or harsh on us. He waits for all and carries every member along (Matt. 11:28). He did not even assume the position of an arbitrary Judge on the adulterous woman and the outcast Zacchaeus (Lk. 19:8-10). He first showed His Love. Why can’t we also be patient and loving toward the immature, unbroken and frivolous among us? While not ruling out discipline and rebuke where necessary, we need to exhibit relationship and love before the rules and law.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord, I pray for Your love in my heart; help me to love and relate like You do.
2. Lord, help Your Church to return to true exercise of Your love in, and outside the church.
3. Pray for the love of Christ would prevail in the hearts of the citizenry of this nation (leaders and the led), to do God’s bidding.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Numbers 19 – 21
