Finishing Touch
Theme of the Week: How Good Feels
Jerry Bridges
Monday, September 20, 2004
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Key Bible Verse: Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other (Romans 12:10). Bonus Reading:Romans 12:11–13
My wife and I moved into a house that had an unfinished garage. Every time I went into the garage I saw the bare two-by-four studs and the black felt-like undersiding. After living for 20 years in a house with a finished garage, it was rather depressing to me. Our son came home for a visit and, learning of my feelings, volunteered to install insulation and drywall in the garage.
Dan had never worked with drywall before and had to learn by doing. The finished job, though very acceptable, wasn't quite what one would expect from a professional drywall installer. But I am more pleased than if a professional had done the work. Why? Because the job was done out of love. Dan didn't expect to get anything in return. He wasn't trying to earn favor or manipulate me. He just wanted to show his love.
Now, every time I go into the garage I see the finished walls, but most of all, I see the love that went into them. Dan's motive was more important to me than his performance.
I suspect that the motive for our good deeds is just as important, probably more so, to God than the level of our performance.
—Jerry Bridges in The Discipline of Grace
My Response: One way I could make my love tangible for _____ would be to …
Adapted from The Discipline of Grace (NavPress, 1994) by permission.
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Lord Jesus, You told us, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Help me to believe it and find true joy be acting on it.
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