November 12 Daily Devotional

Loving the Unlovely

Charles and Norma Ellis

Bible Reading:

Romans 5:1-10

¹Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
²By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
³And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
⁴And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
⁵And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
⁶For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
⁷For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
⁸But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
⁹Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
¹⁰For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Devotional:

The Greek word agape is assuming a prominent place in the vocabulary of the Christian. And indeed it should, since it is so much in evidence in Scripture.

One aspect of this agape love is beautifully brought out in verses 6, 8 and 10 here. Agape love is integral with the lover and is based upon his character. It is not something that the beloved calls forth by his lovableness. When 'we were yet sinners Christ died for us!' (5:8).

Translated into the parent-child relationship this means that even the least lovely child must be loved by the parent. Parental love is not called forth merely by the winsomeness of the child. It is poured out of the heart of the parent who is empowered by God to love each child in a special way. Often this same unlovely child as he becomes more and more aware of the value of his soul in the sight of loving parents and of God will, like the desert, 'blossom as the rose' (Isaiah 35:1).

With a heart of love a parent can see, especially if God has touched his eyes, talents and good characteristics of his child which are not apparent to others. Little realized potentials are recognized. It is the wise and loving parent who is able to encourage the child and help him strengthen what needs to be strengthened as well as weed out that which would choke the good plants.

We are everlastingly thankful to God for loving us while we were yet sinners! Let us pray that we may be enabled so to love our children.

We are happy to have obtained permission to post as our current daily devotional Heirs Together of Life: Daily Bible Reading for Husbands and Wives, published by The Banner of Truth Trust. Don't be misled by the subtitle. As the book's "Preface" indicates (see below), although Heirs Together of Life is "especially prepared for couples,"the authors declare, "Since the basis for this guide is God's Word, we believe it would have value for any reader."

Charles and Norma Ellis are husband and wife and the authors not only of Heirs Together of Life (which was first published in 1980 and continues in print today), but also of Wells of Salvation (first published in 1985, and likewise still in print today). The latter contains a series of short studies covering the entire book of Isaiah, while the former contains a series of almost 200 short studies covering the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. Both books by the Ellises can be ordered from the publisher, The Banner of Truth Trust. We trust that these daily Bible readings, posted daily on our site, will be helpful to you in your Christian walk before God. Whether married or not, all of us are members of families and members of the family of God.

Charles Ellis was educated at Wheaton College and Westminster Theological Seminary. Upon graduation from Westminster (where he earned not only a Th.B. but also a Th.M.), he was ordained to the ministry in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and pastored a number of OPC churches, including Immanuel OPC in West Collingswood, New Jersey; First OPC in Cincinnati, Ohio; Covenant OPC in East Orange, New Jersey; Knox OPC in Silver Spring, Maryland; and Lakeview OPC in Rockport, Maine. Less biographical information is available about his wife, but it is known that they served as parents of seven children. After retiring from the ministry, Charles Ellis went to be with the Lord in 2003, but he and his wife left us with a beautiful legacy in the two books they have given to the world, and we are proud to share the daily Bible readings from Heirs Together of Life here with you.