The Love Of God

 

He who is not loving knew not God, for God is love 

First Epistle of John 4: 8, Concordant New Testament 

I read a commentary in my trust Charles Stanley bible recently in which the old preacher described one of the most basic human needs as our need to be loved.  When I think back upon my life, I can see this desire in action.  For I've spent an inordinate amount of time in my quest to have one person or a group of people accept me for who I am, without prerequisites.  Indeed, I've altered my appearance and behaviors all for the opportunity that those around me would accept me.  I've even considered how it is that my resent quest for better fitness is not just another attempt at gaining the acceptance of others.  I posed this question recently to a good friend who shall remain nameless and he responded that his own health journey centered around his caring for the Lords temple {Paul to the Corinthians (1) 6:19-20}.  I can be on board with that.  Yet, the quest remains, do others love and accept us?  Is it biblical that those around us would accept us?  Jesus obviously called on us to love one another {Johns Account 13:34}.  Yet, He also lamented the fact that He, the Messiah, was rejected by others {Matthews Account 10:34, Johns Account 15:18}.  Jesus tells us that in this world we shall have troubles {Johns Account 16:33}.  Whoever coined the phrase that life is never easy hit the nail on the head!  The goal for we believers should never be to befriend as many as we can, that will come on it's own when we exhibit the love of the Father through us.  My mother had the unique ability to draw people to her.  People often saw her love and compassion for others and gravitated to her.  My own memories of her in church were of her talking with her large group of friends.  That was who she was.  She never worried about what others thought of her, at least she never told me as much.  Jesus understood that if we love one another, that the one true love nature of the Father would be exhibited through us.  

Yet God, being rich in mercy, because of His vast love which He has for us (We also being dead to the offenses and the lusts), Vivifies us together in Christ (In grace you are saved!) 

Paul to the Ephesians 2: 4-5, Concordant New Testament 

If there is one thing that I need to remind myself of whenever it is that I desire the acceptance of others, is that without love I would not be who I am today.  Without love, I would be lost in my sin.  Without love, my future would be one without the Lord.  For it is by the love and mercy of God that He knew and chose me before I was even born {Paul to the Ephesians 1:4}.  God knew me before I was born.  He knew that without a savior that I had no chance.  Through His love for me, He provided His Son to give Himself for me {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  Because of His love, I am no longer in bondage to my sin {Paul to the Romans 6:11}.  The man that I am today is in direct result of the Fathers love for me.  And not only me, but for all of His children {Johns Account 3:16-17}.  Many Christians bristle at the thought of God giving salvation for all of mankind.  That all would be saved.  If God showed His love and mercy to me, will He not show it to all of His children as well?  In this is the Love of the Father.  Not that He would choose the most obedient or the most righteous, but that all would come to know Him.  It can be said that the world will come to know God through those that know Him.  Jesus proclaimed that we should "Let shine our light in front of men, so that they may perceive your ideal acts and should glorify your Father who is in the heavens" {Matthews Account 5:16}.  I believe that when we show love, that it is the Father loving through us.  The love of God for all to see. 

~Scott~