Loving Pepper

Bible Reading: 1 John 4:7-11

“I know the Bible says God loves everybody, but I don’t really see how He

could love Gianna,” Amber told her older sister as they raked leaves in the backyard.

“Is she that girl in your class who cuts in the cafeteria line?” Heidi asked as she filled a large bag with leaves.

“Yes,” said Amber. “And cheats and steals and says mean things about people.”

Heidi was about to respond when Amber’s dog dashed through their pile of leaves and scattered them all over.

“Pepper!” Heidi yelled. “Bad dog!” Just as Amber and Heidi got the scattered leaves raked into a pile again, Pepper appeared with a dead mouse in his mouth. “Oh, gross!” said Heidi, jumping away. “Get that thing out of here!” Pepper ran through the leaf pile again as he dashed away.

Pepper returned later when the girls were taking a break and lay down at Amber’s feet. “Honestly, Amber,” said Heidi, “I don’t see how you can love that creature. Pepper is always getting into trouble and messing things up, and he growls at Grandma every time she comes over.”

“But he has a lot of good qualities too.” Amber wrapped her arms around Pepper. “Even if he didn’t, I’d still love him because he’s mine!”

“I know you would.” Heidi threw Pepper a stick, and he snatched it up and carried it to the opposite side of the yard. “That’s a lot like how God loves us—He sent Jesus to die for us so we could belong to Him, even though we were sinful. He did that for everyone in the whole world—including you and me and Gianna. So He must love her too, just like He loves us, right?”

Amber thought about that. “Yes,” she said at last.

Heidi got up and began raking leaves again. “God loves us despite all the bad things we’ve done, and He helps us love others like He does.” Heidi smiled as Pepper rushed back over to them, happily chomping on his stick. “I don’t think I’d be able to love Pepper on my own, but since my sister loves him, then I can love him too. And it’s the same with Gianna. You can love her because Jesus does, and you belong to Him.”

-Ruth McQuilkin

How About You?

Do you wonder how God can love people who do bad things? God does love those people—including you! He loves you despite all the bad things you’ve done, along with everyone else. Jesus loves everyone in the world so much He was willing to die to save them from sin so they could belong to Him. Show others the love He’s shown you by loving them like He does.

Today’s Key Verse: Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Learn to love others