“For God so loved the World”...the Wayfarer 2/23/16

“For God so loved the World”

2/23/16

“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.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world: but that the world through him might be saved.

(John 3:16 &17)

Despite the fact that I can hear the moans of so many who think that this particular scripture is over preached and  over stated, It is, none the less where I find my need to go today.

In the not so distant past, I was taken to task by a mentor, and greatly respected preacher, who thought that the time for preaching that love spoken of here had passed, and that the time for warning was all that remained to those of us attempting to reach the reachable and teach the teachable.

I felt then, as I do now, that that time for preaching that love will not pass until the last breath leaves this poor excuse of a creature attempting to serve a God that is the essence of that love.

It is that love that still gives hope to those who have none, solace to those suffering the desperation of living in a world that has so little of it, facing the depravity and callousness of those who fail to recognize and accept it.

It is that love, that once experienced, must be shared with all, extended to all, and is the salvation of all who come to know it.

It is that love that is able to overcome the problems, and issues that seem so insurmountable that each human being has in their life that constantly chip away at their faith, both in God, and their fellow humans.

John continues this statement to Nicodemus and to us as well, reminding us that in order to experience that love, we must first be grounded in faith.

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought of God.”

(John 3:18-21)

Truth once again comes to the center of statements and teachings delivered to us by Jesus.

Truth is not all that hard to find when one truly searches for it!

Too many, myself included  often go about looking for it with the lit candle used by Diogenes  searching the shadows of the daylight, when it is apparent and discernible even without that candle!

Too often we, as Christians, forget to include the teachings given us in that 17^th verse in our actions and the ways we approach the rest of our world.

We are not here to condemn either!

If we are to follow our Savior as we are supposed to do, our function is not condemnation, but to spread the joy and message of His love and salvation.

This doesn’t mean we are to ignore the darkness around us, or that we are to refuse to see evil for what it is…. Ignoring a problem never makes it resolve itself or go away.

It is our function to live in, and be the light spoken of, to profess the truth of His love, and to show that truth in our own lives through living the things taught us by Him to live.

It includes the Charity (love) and concern for those less fortunate…the compassion and understanding of those living still in the darkness of their own imprisoned souls.

It must include an attempt, even if it be futile, to rescue those who often fail to even recognize that imprisonment and the condemnation that they face.

Seeing those in need of our compassion and love, and refusing to act on it is not only inadequate, but unacceptable, and takes us from the light, back into the shadows and darkness that would encompass all if we allow it to, including ourselves.

Carefully weigh each word before it is spoken to assure that it is that truth demanded, and that it delivers yet more of the light that is needed.

Never compromise faith and belief for political correctness or for the need to fit into society.

Instead take action to change that society so that the light shines into all corners of it leaving no room for the darkness.

Give of that love when needed, in the manner most able to do the most good.

If that be seen to be harsh, it will only be seen so by those who refuse that love.

We all have only a limited time to inhabit this temporal body, on loan to us to learn and progress to a place beyond our wildest imaginations.

We inherently know that the dimension to come is permanent, as opposed to the temporary dimension we currently occupy.

It is that next dimension that demands our complete and total effort and attention while we remain in this one.

That next dimension will be shared, either in that love that is given us, or in the darkness and stark absence of that love.

Failure to accept that love, now, will result in the failure to attain it's rewards later.

Once accepted, that love must be shared, not only with those few you find of a like mind and of similar physical appearance, but with all willing to partake of it.

The 22d verse continues with Jesus going in Judea and baptizing.

As he did so he continued the simple message of redemption through repentance preached throughout His ministry.

That message rings as loudly now as then:

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

It is that message that allows us to receive and share the love spoken of in the scripture, and apparent only to those who have found it through the truth also spoken of.

I close once more, with that same love, the love given me to share despite the fact that I remain a simple sinner saved by grace through faith in the author of that love, as long as I must remain in this dimension awaiting the next. 

 I remain also the soldier ever in His service, not in expectation of medals or accolades, but the much more important reward of living forever in His light and love.

2 Timothy 1:12 King James Version (KJV)

¹² For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Amen and Amen
the Wayfarer