Selfish Love and God's Grace

Today's AMI devotional on love for oneself is rather compelling; personally I forget that loving oneself can lead to a sinful path. In today's society, there's been an influence to love yourself for who you are -- which I totally agree with. But the motivation for that is important. We love ourselves because Christ has loved us, and there is a transformation in our lives because of that love. When love becomes an apathy or insensitivity to the sin in our lives, then that's a problem. I think lately I've been becoming more comfortable to pleasing myself. Yes, I see myself growing in the Lord, but there are times when I expect gratitude or reward. In servant's meeting, Pastor Joe talked about how our 'sacrifices' can often be 'investments' instead, when we expect good things to result from what we sacrifice. There are times when I would rather selfishly stay in my comfort zones even at the cost of others. It's easy to rationalize when to act with love or not.

Jeremiah 16
v.62-63 I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall know that I am the Lord, that you may remember and be confounded, and never open your mouth again because of your shame, when I atone for you for all that you have done, declares the Lord God.

In Jeremiah 16, God declares the sinful ways of Jerusalem and compares them to a faithless bride, and that this infidelity leads to their destruction. Despite this, God assures them of their covenant and His grace towards them, promising them future prosperity -- one that will remind them of their former foolish ways. In my own life, there have been low moments and high moments in which God has lavished His blessings even when I am so unworthy. How gracious is the Lord that when I am a sinner, He continues to remind me of how much He loves me. Each time I am even more humbled, witnessing even more of His faithfulness despite my sin.

Lord God, thank you for being so gracious and loving. Even when I sin, You reveal my wrongful ways and remind me to turn to You. Even when You are a just God, You demonstrate Your love in a way we do not deserve. I pray that Your love may manifest in selflessness and kindness towards others, that I may place myself before others. Amen.