He Has No Favorites
1 Peter 1:17-19 And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray (epikalio- call upon, worship) has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do (ergon - your acts, your deeds, works). So you must live in reverent fear of Him during your time as "foreigners in the land". For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty (mataios- profitless, vain) life you inherited from your forefathers/natural family. And the ransom He paid was not mere gold or silver. It was the precious blood of Jesus Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.
I highly recommend that you read all of 1 Peter 1 sometime! It has so much depth in it.
This stuck out to me this morning because I feel like so many of us look at people doing, what we consider, 'better' than us and feel like they must be Gods favorite. Well this right here says that God has no favorites, He loves all of us the same... BUT... what we receive from Him is determined by what we do, our actions, our heart behind our actions, etc. We can't seek Him for something and set back expecting Him to just do it.. There has to be work put behind it! It takes walking in faith, trust, digging into His word, action... etc.
This is by no means me saying we are saved by our works. But while we are sojourning through our earthly life we will reap from God was we sow. Our actions, our deeds, our works are to always be done with Him on our mind and in our hearts, reverent fear. That's not a fear that He's going to strike us down when we sin, no way! Not one of us is perfect. The way I think of reverent fear for myself is by watching the conduct of my heart. What are my desires? Are they pleasing to God? Do they line up with His word? Are they His will for me? I want with all my heart to please my Father! When our heart is lined up with His we walk in reverent fear of Him. We revere Him, honor Him in all we do!! That brings about His amazing favor and rewards!!!
He gave us the life of His only son! The precious lamb of God was crucified on that cross and it is by the blood of Jesus Christ that we can walk in this unity with our Father!!
The sanctifying, redeeming blood of Jesus Christ is our reward! The Holy Spirit, who was sent down after Jesus rose from the grave and ascended back to the right hand of His father, and all His gifts are our reward! Every waking moment of every single day.... is our reward!
So my question for you today is this...
Are your actions, deeds, works, words... showing proof that you are walking in honor and reverent fear of our good, good Father? You will know by the fruit you are bearing!
Father thank You for not being a God of favorites! Thank You for loving each one of us the same. Holy Spirit search our hearts and if there is any action, deed, word or work that has not been placed there by God ... reveal it so that we can let it go and replace it with the will of our amazing Father. Father thank You also for the sanctifying, redeeming blood of Jesus Christ, it is because of this that we can walk in daily communion with You and we know that is Your desire... to walk in close relationship/intimacy with Your children. Father I also ask that You bring in right alignments for each of us, even if it's someone we would never imagine being aligned with.. line us up so that Your will on this earth can be fulfilled!! Your Kingdom come.. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name. Amen.