Wed., 5/24/17 Devotion (1 Jn. 3:8b)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 John 3:8b, where the apostle wrote these words:

"For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil."

If the devil had not done his best to foul up the world—especially by tempting human beings to sin—there would have been no reason for the Son of God to appear, as a Redeemer. Though sin is to be abominated in all its forms, it is still the case that it made the way for God to demonstrate the full gamut of His wonderful characteristics—including love, forgiveness, atonement, mercy, grace, righteousness, justification, and patience.

Has the devil left some of his work on us in Christ's true church? Let us be encouraged: Jesus is in the sanctification process of destroying our sin; and building us up, in our growing love for Him.

[Puritan quote of the day: "If we love God, our hearts ache for the dishonor done to God by wicked men.” —Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]