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November 27 Daily Devotional

The All-Decisive Question

Frans Bakker

Lovest thou me? —John 21:16

Bible Reading

John 21:15–17

Devotional

This is the all-decisive question. For “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing” (1 Cor. 13:1, 2).

To be without love is to be without God. Where God is present, there is love; yet without love everything is dead, cold, and harsh, even if we would speak the language of angels. Love for God is evidence of spiritual life. In other words, without love, there is no life. Why did Demas desert Paul, while Peter denied Christ but could not desert Him? Demas loved the things of the world too much (2 Tim. 4:10). The difference between Peter and Demas was the object of their love. Those who love God deeply can fall far, as Peter did, but love stays with them as they stumble. They can lose a lot, but they will not lose their love. Even during cold periods, love remains at the bottom of the born-again heart.

As soon as a sinner is born again, love touches his heart. He starts to love God in all His virtues, also in the virtue of His justice, even though this condemns him. He starts to love God when he realizes that he is without God and does not yet know God. He begins to love God even under the threat of death for his sins. It is a miracle that the same God before whom he ought to perish forever becomes the object of his love. Wherever there is true life, be it in its initial or in its advanced stages, love will carry him through life’s struggles. Whatever man can do or speak, the significant concern is whether his love for God abides deeply or does not.

Christ does not ask many things. He does not ask for words or deeds, for in them man could still gain something by his lips or by his hands. Christ looks at the heart of man. “My son, give me thine heart” (Prov. 23:26). He asks for only one thing, and that is love. “Lovest thou me?” That is the all-decisive question. It is a question that causes either alarm or comfort. It is dreadful for those who only have an outward religion, even though they may follow rules like “Touch not; taste not; handle not” (Col. 2:21). The rich young rulers are sent away, regardless of whether they have a strict or a liberal religion. With all their religion they will still be found wanting, because all they have cannot outweigh love. Do you belong to these people? Do you have only an outward religion? Have you ever come to an end with your religion of works or words?

“Lovest thou me?” The question has the power to give great comfort, for it is asked of all the fallen Peters of the world. Do you know what happened to them? In their fall they became aware of their love. Their bitter weeping revealed their love for God. In spite of their fall, love stayed with them. Although the Peters of the world have everything against them, they want to make their heart right before the eyes of an all-knowing God, for at the bottom of their heart lies sorrow for their sin. Theirs are the tears of love that weep, “Never has anyone committed so much evil against One who is so good.” Everything is against them and yet, “Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee.”

 

From The Everlasting Word by Frans Bakker, compiled and translated by Gerald R. Procee. Reformation Heritage Books and Free Reformed Publications, 2007. Used by permission. For further information, click here.

 

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