Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. – 1 John 3:10
What puts a smile on God’s face? Loving acts and righteous deeds go hand in hand with pleasing God. In fact, today’s verse says that if you do not do these things, you are not of God. Salvation is a gift, but the proof is in the pudding. If you have yielded yourself to the lordship of Christ, you will do good deeds and let Christ’s love flow through you.
How do you show your love for God and others? What deeds are approved of by God? Many Scriptures teach believers how to live their daily lives. Christian disciplines act as spiritual food such as fasting, prayer, worship, fellowship with other believers, and Bible study. Helping the needy rates high on God’s list with good deeds such as speaking up for the helpless, giving to the poor, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and reaching out to the displaced. Daily kindnesses may almost seem unnoticeable but serve as opportunities to express God’s love. Words of comfort and encouragement, celebrating milestones such as birthdays and achievements, and offering a shoulder to cry on are all ways to reflect God’s caring heart.
There are many ways to put a smile on God’s face. It may be hard to imagine God smiling when you think about so many things happening in the world that do not please Him. Zephaniah 3:17 describes a beautiful picture of the Lord rejoicing and singing over His people. And Revelation 4:11 (KJV) says that people are created for His pleasure. Pray for revival in the United States and in the halls of government, that His people will worship Him and reach out to others in the ways that please Him.
Today’s Verse: 1 John 3:10
By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 1 Peter 2:9-17
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
