April 24, 2018 Tuesday

“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.” (1John 3:16-19 NKJV)

            Like the young woman who defined her love for the man she wanted to marry as feeling flutters in her stomach many people seem clueless about what love is or some even cannot see the difference between love and lust.

            In two sentences John, who is called the Apostle of Love, sums up Paul’s incredibly beautiful definition of love in 1Corinthians 13.  The amazing beauty of the language of 1Corinthians 13 by Paul rivals the finest writing in humanity and leaves no room for love being an emotion.

            In this passage as in 1Corinthains 13 love is defined as a willingness to offer ourselves for others just as Jesus laid down His life for us.  Love is both a response to the loving action of Jesus laying down His life for us and our response is being willing to lay down our lives for our brother’s and sister’s in Christ.

            John tells us our response to Jesus laying down His life for us is for us to lay down our life for others.  This seems strange in that we usually think that we should respond to God’s love by loving god.  Doesn’t it seem we should respond to God’s love by returning that love? 

            Looking deeper we are called to love others by our actions and our concern for their welfare.  Love is not a matter of what we say but what we do.  A young man will tell a young woman he loves her but disproves it by pressuring her to have sex with him (not make love).  True love in action wants what is best for her and does not just say he loves her but shows it!

            We can actually show our love for Jesus when we respond to sacrificial love by extending sacrificial love to those God cares for.  As love flows from God through us to many others the wonder and awesome nature of love is seen as clearly as the blood of Jesus flowing from the tattered body to redeem a fallen creation.

            To sum up God through scripture reveals that love at its base is a decision we make to lay down our life for others because of our love for God.

            Have you experienced God’s love for you?  If so, have you shared God’s love to others as a faithful response to that love?  Can you testify to others of your love for God and the impact it has for you?

            Today is a very painful and weary day but I was able to get things done.  I fixed a chicken and rice casserole and it turned out good.  Bonnie, Jonathan and Rebecca went to see the Conducting event for Clay Oglesby and they enjoyed it very much.  God is so good to allow me to see Clay grown up as the Choir Leader at Asbury who was a little child when I was there.