Made New: A 15–Day Devotional on Colossians 3 With Jada EdwardsSample

When you love others, are you secretly or subconsciously doing it to receive something from them? In today’s devotion, Jada reminds us that as God’s holy, chosen, and dearly loved children, we are empowered to extend to others the same unconditional love God has shown us.

Reflect

It can be easy to obey God for selfish motivations. For example, we might be generous in order to hear praise from others or serve at church to earn favor with our church staff. Sometimes we aren’t even aware of these inner motivations. But God calls us to think about our “why” and to be motivated by love. What tends to motivate you to do good works? What could you do to ensure that your service to others comes from a heart of love rather than self-interest?

You have a new identity, a new position, a new heart, and a sure hope of eternity because God loves you. And, because He loves you, you can love others. What have you learned about God’s love that adjusted your definition of love? How has God’s love influenced the way you love others?

Respond

When we respond to others with Christ-like love, we do so free from the expectation of receiving something in return. We serve and give and sacrifice because we are people redeemed by someone who models this kind of love for us.

Ask God to help you serve others out of gratitude for His love for you, not to seek love from others.