Daily Devotion with Pastor Tong Liu: Daily Devotion

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River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english

2 John 1-3

"The elder, To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth - and not I only, but also all who know the truth - because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father's Son, will be with us in truth and love."

John is a teacher who likes to stresses on the truth. Today, our faith not only has to satisfy the needs of the souls, but it must stand on the foundation of truth. We can easily be lost if our foundation is not firm. Therefore, John talked about a balance between truth and love. Grace, mercy and peace are from Father God and Jesus Christ. Grace is from God; it's the blessing that we don't deserve, but God is still willing to give us. Mercy is the fact that God not only gave us grace, but personally helped us to receive the blessing.

For example, a convict was imprisoned, and later was pronounced innocent and released. This is a grace, because he didn't deserve it; however, what can a released convict do when he's filthy and penniless? If someone takes him to have a bath and change of clothes, and give him some money to start his new life, that is mercy. Therefore, when the grace and mercy of God comes upon us, not only can we be saved from the dungeon of sin, we may also rise up again in our life.

Peace is the result of us receiving the Lord's grace. Peace must come from God in order for us to enjoy true rest under all circumstances. Many people misunderstand the work of Holy Spirit, believing that Holy Spirit will do something irrational or create chaos, but both are actually prejudice from misunderstanding. Holy Spirit comes to help us to enter into truth, so that we can better understand truth and love truth. On the other hand, Holy Spirit can truly release the power of God's word, so they complement and even need each other. This is the dual-channel of God's grace - God can bless us with God's Spirit and God's word, and both are equally important. On the one hand we must stand firm on the foundation of truth, and on the other hand we must accept all the grace, mercy and peace from God by faith.

Pray with Pastor Tong Liu

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Lord, I thank you because you not only gave us truth, but also you also gave us grace, mercy and peace. May you grant everyone grace, mercy and peace, and may your Spirit pour onto us all the rich blessings in Christ. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!