God is Love....the Wayfarer 3/3/16

“God is Love”
3/3/16

“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”

(1 John 4:16)

Today we will delve into the essence of our God, and hopefully of our own souls, as we take a hard look at what we are supposed to be, and represent, while confined to the imperfection of a corrupt body seeking perfection yet to come, for those who actually find the definition of love, and actually not only define, but put it into practice.

In order to do this there are several scriptures that must be referenced and I beg the indulgence of the reader for what will, most probably be a lengthy discussion of this subject.

Many profess love.

Few actually comprehend what it is. The reason for this is, that in order comprehend love, one must first comprehend the nature of our God, and His Son.

Without that comprehension, lust and the desires of this life will continually be mistaken for what is the real thing!

Jesus left us a single commandment, before His ascension back to the throne, which if followed, will assure the adherence and obedience of all the other commandments given by His Father:

“A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another”

(John 13:34)

On the surface, this might seem a very easy thing to do…On closer examination it is not so easy a task to accomplish, but one that is most difficult, and essential to being what we are intended by the Creator to be.

Christ exemplified that love throughout his life and ministry, constantly, and consistently proving that love to all around Him.

At times that love seemed harsh. It was given through the rebuke of those pretending to teach the things necessary to please God, but in reality only seeking the benefits of self-enrichment:

“And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites  are; for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.”

(Matthew 6:5)

“Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,

Saying, The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:

 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

For they bind heavy burdens, and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’ shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

But all their works they do to be seen of men: they make broad their  phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and chief seats in the synagogues,

And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men Rabbi, Rabbi.

But be ye not called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ.”

(Matthew 23:1-8)

Those spoken of in both of these passages professed love.

The reality of their agenda was, however far from the love they professed, and in fact, the exact opposite of what God requires of us.

It doesn’t take magnifying glasses, microscopes, or telescopes to find the same things rife within our own society.

There are many “Charitable Organizations” professing that same love, and that same adherence to the teachings of Christ, that, on close examination, ask others to contribute, but instead rob the coffers which they are given.

The same applies to many “Churches” as well.

This is far from the exemplification of the love demanded of us in that commandment given by Christ.

Others profess that love, but attempt to extend it only to those they would hold close and call family, or perhaps even “Church Family”.

These too fail the test of what was intended.

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you;

That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven; for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans so?

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”

(Matthew 5:44-48)

Real, abiding and true love is shown through the life you live, through the way you approach those around you, and what is in your heart as you do so.

An earlier sermon was based on Paul’s dissertation on love, and its requirements. The same holds true now, as then. Love is an all- encompassing and demanding master that will accept only total commitment.

Still others seek love through the riches they attempt to accumulate while in this still imperfect body, and never find it, failing to understand that love of money and those things defeats the very purpose of that love.

“”He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust  in the least is unjust also in much.

 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit your trust to the true riches?

And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?

 No servant can serve two masters, he either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

(Luke16: 10-13)

As long as we are focused on the things we wish to acquire, either for ourselves or our children, we are blind to the needs of those most in need of our love… those Christ ministered to…those with nothing of their own, but the desperation and depression of a life that is a mere day to day existence, keeping the body alive while the soul starves because of a lack of the love we are told to share.

The shortest verse in our bible shows how deeply our Lord loves His own.

It comes about, after he goes, with that love, to see a friend in Judea, despite the knowledge that the people there wish to stone him to death.

Driven by that love, he finds that that friend is no longer among the living.

“Jesus wept.”

(John 11:35)

In continuance of that love, both for his friend, and that friend’s family, and their faith and love in return, He raised Lazarus back to life, showing the power he had, both then, and now, to keep what is His own.

Even as he prepared for his own departure from this world and all of its innate greed and hatred, he left us a promise of that love that still is available to those who choose to accept the blessing bestowed on us through that love:

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”

(John 14 12-17)

In order to find love, we must first seek and find truth.

 That truth must be sought daily, and can be found only in the one we face in the mirror.

Once that truth is found, then we may be able to look for and find that truth and that love in others we come into contact with.

That love that is being sought must first exist within both heart and soul of that one we see in the mirror. If it is not to be found there, it is useless to search elsewhere for it.

Many will never find it… Most will never bother to even look for it.

Jesus summed up the requirement of that love by stating:

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you and ordained you, that ye go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you

These things I command you, that ye love one another.

 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.”

(John 15:13-18)  

Do not expect accolades, and for everyone you come into contact with to appreciate, or even recognize that love.  

What you may expect is that that love, if truly given will be recognized by the author and initiator of all love. Love, real and honest and true love, will be tested, tried, refined, and finally returned by that author and initiator, but it must begin with the love you give, not just that received!

We are indeed His chosen if we are able, not only to profess that love to the world, but to live that love as we journey through the darkness  that surrounds us, that may only be lit with the light of that love He has given us… and as bright as we allow ourselves to return that love to others.

I close in hope, and in prayer that that love be found by those truly seeking it… by those truly willing to accept the first step necessary of realizing that it will not be found until a close look in the mirror is taken…stock is taken…and change is demanded.

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

I remain your humble servant, continuing in that love, for all, that is required, despite my own foibles and failures, in the secure knowledge that each time I succeed, that love is apparent to the only one who counts… the One who loved me so much that He laid down His life for me, to make a simple sinner, a simple sinner saved by grace through faith in Him, and the love He has shown me throughout my life, and beyond. I remain an unworthy soldier in His service seeking the perfection to come because of that love, the same love available to YOU as well if you only accept it.

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