Love

Simply amazing. I don’t know two better words to describe what this Summer has been. Between the Gatherings, this Finishing Season, being back on the team, and millions (exaggerated, I know) of other things, I just stand in awe of Jesus. He is simply faithful. I actually type that lower-case, but the Word declares Him to be named both Faithful AND True (Revelation 19:11). Therefore, faithful isn’t just an adjective describing His constant nearness to us, which Psalms says is our good (Psalm 73:28), but it’s who He is. It’s just in His nature, along with the many other names that have been attributed to Him this side of eternity. Who knows what we’ll see once were outside our finite mind and forever in heaven with Him. It’s exciting to think about! **Interjection** One of my best friends, Zach  Avery (everyone should go add him on Facebook) wanted me to say hello to everyone. He is a fellow brother on Chosen, and one of the smartest people….ever. He had his wisdom teeth pulled today, so he’s in and out  of reality.

As usual, I wanted to share what Holy Spirit has been speaking to me. He is so open to speak. I’m learning more and more than it’s us that’s just  not open and/or available to hear. This blog is about a subject that has been written about more than ay other topic. It’s had more songs sung about it. It’s had more debate surrounding it. It’s love. Pure and simple love. And not the love that can be generated by our human emotions. I want to find foundation for all this in that simple statement. This love I’m going to be writing about isn’t our love. His love is not our love. His definition is so much more vast and complicated, yet perceived, with Holy Spirit’s help, by the darkest of sinners who call on Him in their time of repentance.

I want to love people. I’m tired of being content feeling above those I deem “spiritually lost” or “not as on fire” as I. It’s so easy to do. I daresay that nearly, if not every, person reading this can recall a time in worship, prayer, church, etc. where you look at a certain individual and feel inwardly justified because you know you’re doing so much better than that person. You know where they are. You know what they’ve done, or are doing. And here you are, loving God. And yet, Jesus warns us of such mentality in Luke 18:9-14. We all have heard some sort of sermon on it. And yet, too easily we find ourselves sitting in the position of the Pharisee. We trust too much in our righteous deeds. I never want to forget that it’s only by, through, and with Jesus that I live, move, and have my being (Acts 17:28) 

I’ve been stuck in the book of 1 John for a few days now. I’ve simply been reading it over and over…sometimes as a whole, and sometimes chapter by chapter. It’s just an important book of the Bible, as they all are, to understand correctly. If we don’t, we just obscure everything that writer says twist it to fit our complacent position. Ok. I wanted to share a specific passage, however, to encourage us as believers. 1 John 4:7-14 says,  “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us His Spirit. We have seen and  testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.”  A lot to read, I know. But I love those passages! I’m sure many of you recognize a couple of them at least. However, one that always stuck out was the random interjection in verse 12 that no one has seen God at any time. Wait a minute. We’re talking about God being love, and abiding in Him, and Jesus came into the Earth for us…..and BAM! no one has seen God. Oh thanks for that John, we remember that He said that to Moses back in the book of Exodus.

Of course, we understand that John put that in there for a reason. Here, in my heart, is why. The two main themes we find in the book of 1 John is that God is light and God is love. Again, as we started out saying, it’s just who He is. We are very prone to simply advancing this light aspect of God’s nature. Think about it. Nothing hides from light. It’s not possible. And that’s just naturally speaking for us. Imagine the light that come from HIM. Jeez. Revelation 22 makes a small reference to it. However, we cannot emphasize of gospel of light if we’re not ready to be filled and exude the gospel of love. I think that’s why that interjection is there. No one has seen God, John says. Then there’s a semicolon.  Could it be, as the scripture is showing, that though no one has seen God, if we love one another, God abides in us, and then can be seen through us?  After all, Jesus DID say that the world would know that we are Christians by our love for one another (John 13:35) . We get to be the manifestation of His eternal love  for mankind, and through that, release the light of the Gospel that dispels of sin. It reminds me of Jesus going to the demoniac of the Gadarenes. Someone, or some people, placed that man there, actually chained him. And yet here comes Jesus. By the end of the story, with light and love, the man is found sitting at Jesus’ feet fully clothed and in his right mind.

Even as I’ve been writing, I’ve been asking myself, “Why this blog now?” Simple answer. Many of you work secular jobs. Most are going back to high school or college, are about to start it. Let’s set ourselves to TRULY manifest His love in the Earth, by loving each other, and by loving Him. Of course, this practical application of learning to love is sitting at the feet of the one who is Love. People try and try, especially in ministry, to love without having ANY consistent relationship with Jesus. It’s simply impossible. Sure, some people will feel accepted, but will they encounter LOVE? It’s how the homosexual is going to get delivered. How the suicidal will be saved. How the lost will see Him. You’re the way. I’m the way. It’s simply how He wants to do it, so let’s prepare.

I love you guys. (haha, love)

 

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