Devotional for Today, October 12. Although a sinner is invited into communion with God, into the Kingdom of God, he cannot continue to be a sinner. His conversion must be genuine and unfalsified. True conversion.
Devotional for Today, October 12
But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless.
Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ (Matthew 22:11-13).
What is the difference between God’s love and man’s love? Like God’s love, human love accepts the other person as he is. But human love often does not have the power to lead the beloved forward, to goodness, to positive change in life, to perfection. Human love is like saying: “I accept you as you are. But I do not have the strength to show you the way. So I will endure if you remain as you are.”
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This is why people suffer years of alcoholism, violence, bullying, and even physical abuse from a loved one. And nothing changes. Life becomes a hell for such people because they rely on human love alone. Human love tolerates filth and despair.
God’s love, like human love, accepts the other person as he is. But divine love does not want or allow the beloved to remain as he is. Instead, it invites urges and demands that we stand up and move on, change, grow and improve.
God’s love says: “I accept you as you are. But I do not want you to remain as you are. So get up, let’s go together. I will help you, show you the way, and give you strength.”
True Conversion
God’s love for us demands truth and true conversion. His love is not satisfied with outward changes and formal rituals of repentance. The conversion of a sinner must be a life-changing step. God’s love does not tolerate filth and despair.
Jesus makes this clear in the parable of the man who was invited to a wedding but came as a guest without festive clothing (Matthew 22:1-13). When you are invited to celebrate the Kingdom of God, you cannot remain a sinner.
Prayer for Today
Lord Jesus, I am happy that You love me. You love me with divine love. You call me to stand up out of the mud of life and walk with you. Please give me the grace to know that your loving hand extended to me, an unworthy sinner, is the best thing to have happened in my life. Your hand extended to me is the best gift I have ever received. With a grateful heart, I look to you, Jesus. Amen.
