Be Good, I Love You!
by Tanya Person
“Be good. I love you!” I don’t know how common these words are to you, but recently I realised that they’re words I’ve spoken to my children many times as they were growing up. When they were old enough to be left at home alone and I was going out for a time, these were the words I would leave with them as I left the house.
I started thinking about the significance of those words. I wanted my children to be good while I was gone and I wanted them also to know that, even though I wasn’t there, I love them. I then realised that the two were connected. It’s because I love them that I want them to be good, because if they’re good, they’ll be safe.
I felt God speaking into my heart that that is how He feels towards us, His children. That’s why He gave us the Ten Commandments, because He knows the consequences we’ll suffer if we disobey those commands, and He loves us enough to want to keep us from those consequences. It’s out of His complete love for us that He wants us to do what’s right and good.
Then I thought about Jesus’ final words to His disciples, recorded in Matthew, our scripture for today. In essence, He was saying the same thing I told my kids. He told them what to do, which was how they were to be good, and then told them that He would be with them to the end of the age, which means He loves them enough to always be with them, even though He wouldn’t be physically with them.
And those words are for us as well, if we’re Christians, followers, disciples of Jesus. He wants us to do the same things that He told His disciples to do and the promise is for us as well, that He’ll never leave us.
Today, I want to encourage you with these words. “Be good. God loves you”. I challenge you all today, and myself, to be obedient to what the Lord’s telling us to do, and remember that He loves you, with a more perfect love than the love I have for my children.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that You love me, and You want me to obey You because You love me. Help me today to listen to Your voice and do the things You’re telling me to do. Thank You that You’re with me and will never leave me. Amen.
Tanya Person Tanya and her husband, Jim, were missionaries to Hungary for over 18 years. They have worked with Ellel since 2005. After serving in various positions with Ellel in Central and Eastern Europe, God led them back to the United States, where they are now serving with the Ellel USA team. They have a passion to see leaders restored, the church discipled and walking in God’s fullness of life and freedom, and for mentoring the existing and developing team. Tanya also enjoys crocheting and knitting in her free time and has written some children’s picture books.
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