Love - Christ's love

The only way that we are every able to love one another completely is by being filled with Christ's love. So I just want to spend some time in describing, as much as possible, Christ's love, and how He has made that manifest to us.

You and I are both totally underserving of God's love. With our forefathers Adam and Eve in Paradise, we fell into sin. Through our own disobedience we deliberately disobeyed God and as a consequence of this, we sinful. We are all conceived and born in sin. There is none righteous, no not one (Romans 3:10). The point I want to emphasise here is that MAN sinned. God did not make man sin; He is not the author of sin. But MAN by his own actions, sinned, and He has to bear the punishment.

God, however, is just and righteous; He cannot allow sin to go unpunished - that is why, of ourselves, we are worthy of death. We deserve to go to hell and endure God's eternal wrath against us. For we have sinned. We sinned with Adam in Paradise, and we also sin daily. Our sins are so great and they continually increase the debt that we have to pay. And what is more, we can never even begin to pay this debt ourselves. Why? Because we are sinful, and God HATES sin.

But has God left us in this miserable state? Has He left us alone in our sins? For He very well could say: "Well you sinned, now you have to bear the consequences." And He could just leave it at that. But He didn't, and that is the wonderful message of His LOVE.

While He could have left us in our sins, He chose us to everlasting righteousness. He said: "I want to save you from that sinful state; I want to call you my child, that you may know Me and glorify Me."

Yet there is more to God's love.

God could not leave sin unpunished; His justice and righteousness requires that our sin needs to be paid for. But we cannot pay for our sins, for we are not righteous. One who himself is a sinner cannot pay for his sins, or that of another (HC Ld 5 q/a 14). Therefore, the only candidate to pay for sins, is Jesus Christ.

And so, God sent His only begotten Son into this world, to assume our flesh and blood, and so pay for the sins that we have committed. For He (that is: God) made Him (Christ) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (1 Corinthians 5:21)

Isn't that the amazing love of God. Because He wanted to save us from our sins, He sent His beloved Son into this world, that He might endure the hellish agony of God's wrath against the sin of the whole human race. Christ endured mockings, scorgings, abandonment (by God His Father and His disciples), and so much more suffering, all that you, and that I, may have eternal life; that God may say to you: "Come My child, and I will give you rest."

And there is still more to God's love.

After Christ ascended into heaven, and His work was completed here on earth, He sent His Spirit to live in our hearts. God lives within us! And that is just wonderful when you think about it. God is so near to you. He comforts you, encourages you, strengthens you, and gives you what you need to live as a covenant child of God.

God's love is indeed amazing.

And if He has done all this for you, how much more do you want to go and love your neighbour?

Fruit of the Spirit - Love

How is it that we often fail to show true love to ALL our neighbours? It's easy to love our friends, and family; its easy to love those close to us, those who we get along with. But it's not so easy to love others - those who annoy us, those who make us frustrated, those who you just simply can't get along with, and those who hurt you.

But God has given us the command to 'love your neighbour as yourself' already in Lev 19:18. And it is a command, meaning, we have to do it. But how? How can you love someone when all they do is hurt you and frustrate you?

Well, I'll try to explain using the only basis I know that will truly teach me how to love: God's Word.

I have taken I Cor 13:4-7, providing the text and also my interpretation of it. This passage is a perfect practical guide on how to love, and it is so perfect because it is based on the character of the love of Christ. And when looking at this passage it becomes clear that love is not merely a feeling (no matter how much we often base it on feelings) but it is an action:

Love suffers long and is kind; 
Love does not envy; 
Love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 
Does not behave rudely, 
Does not seek its own, 
Is not provoked, 
Thinks no evil; 
Does not rejoice in iniquity; 
But rejoices in the truth;
Bears all things, 
Believes all things, 
Hopes all things, 
Endures all things. 
Love never fails. 

Love is patient, she does not easily give up on others; she is merciful and kind.

Love is not jealous or bitter; she does not hold a grudge against another.

Love is not proud or arrogant, she does not brag.

Love is not rude, disrespectful or ill-mannered.

Love is self-less, she seeks the well-being of others first.

Love is not irritable or resentful

Love does not focus her attention on the wrongs that others do to her. 

Love does not rejoice in what is wrong,

Instead, Love delights in what is right. 

When Love bears all things,

She is not suspicious, but trustful, she thinks the best of things and so protects one's reputation. 

And so, love hopes the best of all things.

Love perseveres under all circumstances. 

Love is not a passing feeling or desire; it is not fleeting and will not pass away. Love has no end.

So, how do we put this love into action? How do you get going? It's such a list, and admittedly its quite overwhelming. 

Well, firstly, we need to understand the love of Christ. Know fully and completely what He has done for you, and be filled with that love. Let His love fill your heart and mind. Let it fill your senses so that all you want to do is show that same love in return. The more you know God and His love through His Son Jesus Christ, the more you will also be able to show love to your neighbour. 

So, KNOW WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR YOU!!! (that'll be the topic of my next post)

"He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6

This text captures the essence of believing in Christ. It is not any of our work, but God's work within us. It is not because of our worthiness that we are saved. It is not that God knew before that we would have faith, so He saved us. Our salvation is based on nothing, I repeat, NOTHING, that we can do. God, by His Holy Spirit and through the preaching of the Word, works 'a good work' [faith] in us.

And what's more is that since God has begun this work in us, He WILL complete it. God will not allow those whom He has effectually called unto salvation to fall away from His grace, but they shall persevere until the end. Until the day of our Lord Jesus Christ! Those who try to live a Christian life in their own abilities will fall away (Matt 13:20-22).  But those who show themselves to be regenerate by God in their walk of holiness and love for their neighbour can have the comfort that they are secure in Christ. Although they may backslide and fall into sin, the Holy Spirit convicts them of their sin and compels them to repent and seek to live a life free from sin.

Now this does don't make the believer slack in living a holy life, as though he has a guaranteed safety net  that no matter what he does, he will never fall from God's grace. Instead, by knowing that God has pledged to keep him safe forever, the believer desires more and more to please God through a humble and grateful attitude.

What a comfort that is for believers, and at the same time it reminds us to devote our lives to the One who has saved us.

"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faith, who also will do it." (1 Thess 5:23,24)

The wonder of it all

"This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, 

that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." 

(1 Tim 1:15)

Sometimes I ask myself, why am I a Christian? Why was I born into a Christian family? Why do I go to church every sunday? Why am I a Christian when there are so many people in this world who either hate God or want nothing to do with Him?

Now, while I would almost like the answer to these questions to be complicated, its rather simple. God has chosen me; that's why I'm a Christian.  Before the foundation of the world; before He had even created Adam and Eve, God decided that I would be one of His covenant children. "Just as He chose us in Him [Christ] before the foundation of the world..." (Eph 1:4a)

I never cease to be amazed by this. God chose me, not because He knew I would have faith or any other good quality of disposition, but so that I "should be holy and blameless before Him." (Eph 1:4b) It is so wonderful to think then, that out of the millions and billions of people in this world, God has chosen me to salvation through Jesus Christ. He could have chosen many others, but He chose me, and not because I am any better, for I can say with Paul "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." (1 Tim 1:15)


Christ came into this world to save sinners. And we are ALL sinners; yet through Christ we may be washed clean of sin. We are born again into a new life, a life with Christ as our master, rather than a life ruled by Satan. And all we have to do to receive this is believe: believe on Jesus Christ and be saved. "For God so loved the world that He gave is only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. " (John 3:16)

Now when you consider the wealth of wonder in that God has chosen you, out of the millions in this world, to be His child, your only response should be thankfulness. Humbled by the fact that He has chosen you, you seek to offer your life as a living sacrifice of thankfulness to Him.

So that's why I go to church, and that's why I call myself a Christian? Because God has called me to be His child. God did, not me.

"Those whom He predestined He also called; and those whom He called these He also justified; and those whom He justified, these He also glorified." (Rom 8:30)

Such is the wonder of it all.

Peacefulness

Do you ever get those times when you feel as though you can feel God's presence beside you? Well it was like that for me tonight. I know this can sound surreal, or just something from my own imagination; but I think its not. It's a feeling that you get, a feeling of total peacefulness where you are at peace with yourself, peace with God and peace with your neighbour. Now I don't mean to say that I'm perfect because I'm totally at peace with everyone and everything, however, I do believe that God grants me peace, and in that peace I am able to find myself closer to Him.

It's hard to describe, and I only really once have truly felt it before. That was when I was about 12 yrs old, kneeling beside my bed as I said my night-time prayer, and for some reason, which I cannot understand, it felt as though God was there present with me in my bedroom as I prayed. And I'll never forget it, for it was such a wonderful feeling; a feeling that I felt again tonight.

Coming home after a night of ice-skating with friends, I just sat outside for a few moments to think. To let my mind wonder. It's quite amazing when you realise the things you are aware of when you just open your mind.

There is no wind. There's a full moon. The crickets sing their evening song. My dogs lay at my feet, warm soft, and absolutely adorable. But what is more amazing, is when I lay down on my back; there are no clouds in the sky, only stars that shine so bright. And it is just so peaceful. It's such a beautiful feeling.

Now I could talk on and on about my feelings, but faith is not just what I feel at one present time. But its the surety and the knowledge of being Christ filled that brings me this peacefulness.

I think of the verses in Philippians 4 where Paul says: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." 


That is such a comforting passage; for my feelings are nothing - it is God who works that peace in me. And although I cannot understand it, I praise God that He has given me a heart to know true peace through Jesus Christ.

Love your neighbour as yourself (2)

Although love is of God, it still requires action from our side - that was the theme of the second speech at the camp. Love in Action.

The love that God wants us to extend to our neighbour comes from our new life in CHRIST (Col 3:1,2). We are to set our minds on the things above, not on the things of this earth. In so doing we are to be clothed with the garments of the 'new man'. These 'clothes' are what show us to be different from those who do not believe in Christ, and they are ultimately characterised by love.

Love is built on two pillars: patience and kindness. "Love suffers long and is kind;" (1 Corinthians 13:4a). Patience is defined as being willing and able to respond positively to a negative situation, and kindness acts to maximise a positive situation. Being motivated by Christ and His work on the cross, we are able to show true love.

Another characteristic of love is "bearing with one another and forgiving one another" (Colossians 3:13). In other words we cannot be showing true love to some one if we are not able to overcome a grudge we hold against them. If we choose not to forgive someone who has hurt us, no matter how deeply, we are basically putting ourselves under their control, and not allowing ourselves to be free to let God work renewal in our lives. Unless we dwell on the miracle of grace in our lives through Christ, we will not be able to forgive one another, and hence show true love. If we are filled with Christ's love; if we truly understand the depth of our own forgiveness through Him, then it will be easier to forgive one another. It is then that you are able to receive inner peace and the ability to freely give love.

As new men and women in Christ, we are required to wear new clothes bearing the fruit of the Spirit - Love, Joy, Peace, Long-suffering, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-control (Galatians 5:22). But "above all these things [we must] put on love, which is the bond of perfection." (Colossians 3:14) Love is the belt that holds all the clothes together. Without love we cannot truly wear kindness and forgiveness. In all this we must remember that this is only possible when we let the word of Christ dwell in us richly; when we desire to live closer to God; when we 'constantly and with heartfelt longing ask Him for these gifts and thank Him for them'.

"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." (Colossians 3:17)

So, what clothes are you wearing?

Love your neighbour as yourself (1)

I just came home from the most amazingly beautiful camp ever! It was a week were I could enjoy fellowship with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Some people had come from Queensland, others Tasmania, a couple from Canada, and the rest of us from Perth. It was a great opportunity to make new friends and deepen friendships already made. But above all the camp was wonderful because it allowed us all to grow together in our love for God and our love for our neighbour.

The theme of the camp was 'Love your neighbour as yourself' and I just wish to share some of the valuable lessons I've learned through the various speeches that we heard over the duration of the week (but not all in one blogpost).

The first speech was titled: 'Love as a commitment', which really dealt with understanding 'what is true love?' The world has many definitions of love which are usually centred around feelings of desire, romance, appreciation and protectiveness, and while these are attributes of love are true and worthwhile, they miss the mark of true love. And why? Because true love can only stem through the One who has shown this love to us in the first place. God, in sending His only begotten Son into this world to die on a cross for our sins, has shown true love. For 'God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us' (Romans 5:8). That is God's amazing love with which He loves us.

Now we who have received this true love from God have been called to be 'imitators of Christ'. 'Therefore, be imitators of God as dear children. Walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma' (Ephesians 5:1,2). This act of imitating Christ is not something that we can do of and in ourselves, rather, 'having been renewed in the spirit of your mind' (Eph 4:23), God will work this through us. Imitating Christ is not something we need to do for Him. It is for this reason too, that we cannot say: 'it's just me and my nature, I can't do it. I just can't love my neighbour and do good to him, to show love to him.' For love is more that just a feeling. Love is a command of Christ. Love is a commitment.

Another command we have received from Christ is to abide in His love. And by abiding in Christ's love, by clinging to His love, then we are able to show true love to our neighbour. It's like imagining your life as a tall drinking glass. If that glass is filled with the love of Christ, if you live your entire being for Christ, then there is no room for Satan to work. And if you are Christ filled, then you will seek to do the things that He commands, namely, you will show love to your neighbour. However, if Christ does not fill your life, and the glass is only half full, then there is much more room for Satan. And Satan will take advantage of that room, he will fill your life will other selfish and deceitful things rather than true love for your neighbour. So the more you allow Christ to fill your life, the more you abide in Him, the more you will show love to your neighbour.

There are three characteristics of true love as a commitment: it is unconditional, self-denail, and total. Love is of God. And its a wonderful privilege to be called to bear His love!