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Wednesday,
February 20, 2008
A Perfect Love
John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should
not perish, but have everlasting life. (17) For God sent not his Son into
the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be
saved. (KJV)
Ever hear the term ‘God’s gift to
mankind’? Though many have laid claim to this title, the truth be known,
the perfect gift from above came to us and was manifest in the life of
Jesus Christ so that we no longer would have to perish in our sin but come
to an understanding of everlasting life. God sent His Son not to point the
finger at mankind and threaten them with eternal condemnation but rather to
teach us the love of God and how to establish a relationship with our
heavenly Father based on love and affection for Him. A perfect love which
means mature is based on trust and communication, not one of fear and
doubt. Instead of always wondering what are we doing wrong or how long
before the Lord comes down on us with His wrath we should be establishing
our relationship with God in love and commitment, moving forward in an
understanding of His love for us which is unconditional. Of course if you
know in your heart you haven’t done all to stand fast in your walk by
taking the time to make our Lord a priority, taking time in His word, then
you can expect Him to bring the correction which He does in love; doing
what is needed for your benefit.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Though I speak with
the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as
sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. (2) And though I have the gift of
prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I
have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I
am nothing. (3) And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and
though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me
nothing. (KJV)
Chapter 13 here can be referred to as an
inventory list describing the love of God and how to operate in it. As you
go down the list one can do a personal inventory of what their true motives
are for serving the Lord and what it will take to please Him. This list
basically separates the motives of the heart, detailing the difference
between what man considers love and what the Lord describes as His true love.
There are those that can speak of earthly things and heavenly things as
well, but without doing it from the heart with the motive of love they are
like listening to someone who doesn’t know how to play an instrument, it
will be a lot of noise without any substance. I think of the times in my
life when I have picked up a guitar and tried strumming it, though there is
a sound coming forth from it and I was trying to play a song it was nothing
discernable and certainly not very edifying. The same holds true with many
preachers who do not know the love of God, but rather a life of ministry
work is more of an occupation than a loving commitment to the Lord and His
congregation. The more one pursues this work as an occupation the more they
will try and build up themselves rather than the people. So no matter how
hard they try and all the good works they claim to be doing, without the
love of God their motives will be wrong and of no profit.
Philippians 1:15-18 Some indeed preach
Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: (16) The one
preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to
my bonds: (17) But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence
of the gospel. (18) What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in
pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea,
and will rejoice. (KJV)
Paul was a true apostle of our Lord
because He understood the love of God and was more concerned in building up
the people rather than a personal following. Paul rejoiced in the fact that
Christ, the Son of God, was being preached and that people were coming to
an understanding of the mystery of the gospel through His name. However he
could see how there was strife and contentions within the early churches
and how some had mistaken their calling, thinking it would impress the Lord
if they could gather numbers and a big following. Today we see the motive
and mindset of man and how it has manifested more into making merchandise
of the people rather than showing them how to be more Christ like and
experiencing the love of God. Those that truly know and have come to an
understanding of the love of God will preach the truth that will set the
people free, without concern for their own welfare, being more concerned
with the spiritual and not the physical. So what is your motive for serving
our Lord, is it because of the love that is being shed abroad in your heart
or is it something else that is more self serving than being a servant?
Matthew 6:1-4 Take heed that ye do not
your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of
your Father which is in heaven. (2) Therefore when thou doest thine alms,
do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues
and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you,
They have their reward. (3) But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand
know what thy right hand doeth: (4) That thine alms may be in secret: and
thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. (KJV)
Are you looking to be seen of men? Then
you have your reward which will only be temporary. Are you only concerned
with what our Father sees and asks of you? Then you will have an eternal
reward despite what man may think of you. Having watched a big name TV
ministry doing one of their endless telethons and infomercials that are
nothing more than doing their alms before men, you see how mankind misses
the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ by trying to
lower God to man’s standards of marketing and advertising. In fact it is
quite fitting that they use the number 700 to identify their ministry,
which is about how many money pitches and distortions of the truth one gets
per hour. How much more ungodly can it get when only those that give the
most money are elevated and given special attention and consideration while
the others are ignored. For the love of God, how did this marketing mindset
and bigger is better attitude ever sneak past the Christians and allowed access
to the airwaves? Can the blind lead the blind without ending up in a ditch?
Take off your blinders Church and let God be true. Just because someone
says it’s ok and they find a bunch of puppets to agree with them doesn’t
mean God approves of this nonsense.
James 2:1-5 My brethren, have not the
faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
(2) For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly
apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; (3) And ye have
respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou
here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here
under my footstool: (4) Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are
become judges of evil thoughts? (5) Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not
God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom
which he hath promised to them that love him? (KJV)
Thank God His love is based on the inward
motives and not the outward because I know for myself I am a complete
failure according to my works. God’s love is unconditional, a perfect love,
and it is not based on the outward but the inward motive of the heart. So
if there is a willingness and obedience, if you truly have a love for our
Father, then you can expect to be a partaker of His love which is based
upon what is in the heart and not your wallet.
God bless and don’t be taken in by these
cheap hucksters who would sell their soul for a buck.
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