Do We Get It?

This is the gospel of Jesus. That God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. That who-so-ever believeth on Him shall not perish but receive eternal life. This is the simple over view of the words and works of God. We can reduce it to this; God loves us, and has made a way for us to live with Him. In harmony, without fear, full of confidence in His love for us.

What is so bad about this? Why is this message of God's love so hard to understand? "While we were yet sinners Christ died for us." How much more will He freely give us all things now that we are reconciled to God through Jesus. All of scripture is the word of God's faithfulness to His dream and plan for man, "to become the sons of God."

We don't have to beg or plead. He's not withholding anything from us. He is willing to give us all things pertaining to life, and our relationship with Him. There is an adversary, one who would try to stop the blessing of God to us, the devil. He can't stop God from sending the blessing, so the devil will attact us and try to stop us from receiving. He will try to cause us to doubt, to waiver in our faith. To convince us that we are on our own. That God is to busy, or not involved, or doesn't do those things any more. Or that it's for an other time, or place, and we'll have to do without. He is a liar.

Let go back and look at how love acts. God is love, so by seeing how love acts, we know how God will act. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, is is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." I Cor 13:4. This is the fruit of love.

I said that love acts, it's not an attitude but an action. As written in James 2:15 "Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it."

Let look at the life of Jesus. He was moved with compassion toward the people. This caused Him to heal the sick, loose the bound, preach the good news of the salvation of God. Heal the brokenhearted, mend the broken in spirit, and set the captives free. This is our example of LOVE IN ACTION. We who are born of God, by the work and word of Jesus have received this love. It first has it's work in us to align us to the way of God, and the way of love. Then as it is assimulated and become a living part of our being it works through us to help those in darkness around us in ever increasing strength. All according to the power of the Lord at work in us.

There are many admonitions to love. Paul, "Follow the way of love". John, "Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble." And the words of Jesus, "by this shall all men know you are my disciples, if you have love one for another". I can't think of a more important or better way to live than to obey this command. It is not grievious, it's a joy. It's not hard, if we will remember all that the Lord has forgiven us. This is a light burden, and an easy yoke. To bring the good news of salvation for man, and the eternal life of love from God. Let's remember that to love and not act is not a living love, but a living love will cause us to act in love. Bringing real help and relief to those in need of the love of God.