Man’s Best Friend
About 15 years ago, the movie “My Dog Skip” came out at the Theaters. It’s a great family movie. If you have seen it, have you considered why the movie is a powerful one?
If you haven’t seen it, it’s a story of a boy and his dog. Willie, the young boy, is 9 years old when he gets his puppy dog. The movie shows how Skipper helps him navigate the tricky waters into early adolescence. Willie grows in responsibility, self-confidence and in his human relationships.
Skip proves to be a steady and loving friend to this boy. Obviously, God is not exactly like a dog. But Skip’s unconditional love and undying faithfulness toward Willie are a good picture of God’s love toward us in His Son Jesus.
Made For The Faithful Love Of The Lord
In Romans 5:6, we read these words: “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” And Romans 5:8 goes on to say: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
The amazing story of the Gospel is that God loved us even when we were unable to love Him back. Through Jesus, He has made it possible for us to receive forgiveness and the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. It is through His grace that we can have a relationship of growing trust and love with Him.
I think that God has planted in each human heart a yearning for that kind of love. I think that’s why we respond so favorably and strongly to movies such as “My Dog Skip”.
God’s primary purpose and calling for the local church is to be faithful in proclaiming this Gospel and faithful in living out the Gospel in this world. How do we live out the Gospel? For one thing, it will involve the demonstration of the faithful and selfless love that God has shown us in Jesus.
After Jesus washed His disciples’ feet in the Upper Room, He said these words to them: “A new command I give you. Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35) Jesus said we will be blessed if we put His words of loving service into practice.
I wouldn’t be surprised if when God was creating the world, that He specifically designed dogs to be a picture of love and loyalty. Not only to illustrate His love toward us but also to illustrate the love, obedience and loyalty that He desires from us toward Him. Most of all, thank you God for your Son Jesus, but also thank you for dogs like Skip.
QOTD: Are you putting into practice Jesus’ command to faithfully and selflessly love others?