Read 1 John 3:16-24
ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13 NLT).
In “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Atticus Finch teaches us about love through his actions. Atticus is a lawyer in a small town facing racial prejudice. He takes on the defense of Tom Robinson, a black man falsely accused of a crime. Despite threats and challenges, Atticus remains steadfast in his pursuit of justice, showing his children, Scout and Jem, what true love and courage look like.
Atticus’s example mirrors what we read in 1 John 3:16-24. It’s not enough to just talk about love; we must show it through our actions. Atticus does this by risking his reputation and safety to defend an innocent man. He lives out Jesus’s teaching of laying down one’s life for others
Furthermore, Atticus’s steadfast dedication to fairness and kindness not only shows us how to love others just like Jesus taught, he also goes against what society thinks is right and stands up against unfair treatment, proving that love goes beyond differences and requires us to do something when we see unfairness happening.
Atticus challenges us to think about how we show love in our lives. Are we willing to stand up for what’s right, even when it’s hard? Are we willing to help those in need, even if it costs us something? Atticus’s example urges us to move beyond our comfort zones and actively demonstrate love in tangible ways.
We can do this by speaking out against injustice, reaching out to those who are hurting, and supporting causes that promote equality and compassion. Love isn’t just a feeling; it’s a choice to act in the best interest of others, just as Jesus did for us.
Moreover, our actions reflect our faith. When we obey God’s commandments and love others as Jesus did, we show that God’s love is alive in us. This brings us confidence and assurance in our relationship with God.
Atticus Finch’s story challenges us to live out our faith in practical ways. Let’s follow his example of sacrificial love and courage. By doing so, we reflect the love of Christ to the world around us and experience the peace and confidence that come from living in obedience to God’s commandments.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Love is more than words; it’s about action. Let’s show love to others through our deeds and bring glory to God.PRAYER
Lord, help us to love like Atticus Finch, with actions that reflect your love for us. Give us the courage to stand up for what’s right and the compassion to help those in need. May our lives be a testament to your love and grace. Amen.
Devotion written by Rev. Todd R. Lattig with the assistance of ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI.