John 13:8 NLT “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.”
Jesus wanted to express His love to Peter by washing his feet. Peter immediately denied the way Jesus wanted to express His love.
Like Jesus did with Peter, God wants to further express His love towards us. We know He expressed His love by sending His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins, but He wants to do more. He may want us to get a massage for ourselves, buy a nice outfit, or treat ourselves to a fancy dinner.
For whatever reason (unworthiness, pride, etc.), we deny the way He wants to express His love. We talk ourselves out of what God wants to do for us. We may say, “it’s not worth the money” or “I can use that time to serve someone else.” If God told you to buy it for yourself, surely He wants you to enjoy it and He’s provided the resources to cover it.
Some of us also deny His love coming from other people. If someone tries to do something for us or give us something, some of us immediately say “no.”
Denying God’s expressions of love doesn’t make us holy or closer with Him. It actually causes the relationship to stagnate. However it comes, learn to receive God’s expressions of love.
Inspired by the teachings of Joseph Prince
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