What else did the apostles write about pure and Christlike love for God?
e.) Wholehearted love for God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience and sincere faith.
1.) A pure heart
Amongst the first Christians the question was raised if non-Jewish male followers of Jesus Messiah should be circumcised like the Jewish disciples of Jesus. That would then be the sign that they had also entered into the new (Messianic) covenant that God had made with the Jewish followers of Jesus.
There was a further dispute about the question if non-Jewish believers should be required to obey the Law of Moses, given by God under the Sinai covenant.
The apostles and elders met in Jerusalem to consider these questions. During that meeting the apostle Peter addressed the congregation and said:
“God, who knows people's hearts, confirmed that he accepts Gentiles [non-Jews] by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he gave him to us [Jews]. He made no distinction between us and them, for he also cleansed their hearts through faith.”
(Acts 15:8-9)
As Peter said, God gives His Spirit to all who are saved through His Son Jesus Messiah. It is our faith in the Lord Jesus (including the process of conversion and rebirth) that washes our hearts clean from our sinful past.
The apostle Paul explains to his young co-worker Timothy that wholehearted love for God is the goal of his teaching:
“The purpose of my instruction is that all the Christians there would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and sincere faith.” (1 Timothy 1:5)
In his second letter to Timothy, Paul encourages his co-worker to steer clear of anything that would defile his mind, heart and actions:
“Run from anything that stimulates youthful lust. Follow anything that makes you want to do right. Pursue faith and love and peace, and enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts." (2 Timothy 2:22)
The apostle James urges half-hearted and quarrelling Christians to return to God in repentance and to ‘cleanse’ their relationship with God and their fellowmen:
“Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, you hypocrites.”
(James 4:8)
The apostle Peter explains in his first letter how true purification of the heart takes place: “... you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth...” (1 Peter 1:22)
In his first letter, John shows that controlling our evil desires and keeping away from all sorts of sin and worldliness is not only necessary to sustain a Christlike relationship with God and our fellow Christians. It is also an indispensable preparation for the great moment when we will meet Jesus personally:
“Yes, dear friends, we are already God's children, and we can't even imagine what we will be like when Christ returns. But we do know that when he comes we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who believe this will keep themselves pure, just as Christ is pure.” (1 John 3:2-3)
2.) A clear conscience
The author of the letter to the Hebrews shows that Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins purifies our guilt-laden conscience:
“How much more, then, will the blood of Christ ... cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” (Hebrews 9:14)
The same letter encourages us to approach God with wholehearted love now that we have a clear conscience:
“... let us go right into the presence of God, with true hearts fully trusting him. For our evil consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean...” (Hebrews 10:22)
The apostle Paul writes to his co-worker: “Timothy, I thank God for you. He is the God I serve with a clear conscience...”
(2 Timothy 1:3)
Paul testifies before Felix, the Roman governor, regarding his way of life: “I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God...” (Acts 24:16)
3.) Sincere faith and love
The apostle Paul speaks in his second letter to Timothy of the ‘sincere faith’ of his young co-worker: “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” (2 Timothy 1:5)
The Greek word that we translate here with ‘sincere’ originally wanted to express that Timothy’s trust in God is genuine and wholehearted, pure and unfeigned, undivided and without reservation.
Paul suses the same word ‘sincere’ for Christlike love. He declares to the Christians in Rome: “Love must be sincere...”
(Romans 12:9).
Paul shows the Corinthian Christians that sincerity is a gift from God, because sincere love is typical for the character of God – Father, Son and Spirit:
"Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God. We have done so not according to worldly wisdom but according to God's grace." (2 Corinthians 1:12)
The apostle Peter uses the same expression in his first letter. He says that ‘sincere love’ is a gift of God’s Spirit and the fruit of conversion and rebirth:
“Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love...” (1 Peter 1:22)
The apostle Paul reminds the followers of Jesus in Corinth that he is a true servant of God. Among other things he points to his ‘sincere love’ for God (and fellow men) as a distinguishing feature of a true servant of Jesus Christ. He writes:
“We have proved ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, our sincere love, and the power of the Holy Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 6:6)
In all these verses the apostles remind us over and over again that wholehearted, Christlike love for God is the fruit of God’s Spirit in our hearts. Such God-given love is pure, sincere and unadulter-
ated, and results from the strength of a forgiven heart and a good conscience.
(to be continued)
The Bible verses 1 Peter 1:22, Hebrews 9:14, Acts 24:16, 2 Timothy 1:5, Romans 12:9, 2 Corinthians 1:12 and 1 Peter 1:22 are quotes of the New International Version. The other texts are quoted from the New Living Translation.
About the Sinai Covenant and the New (Messianic) Covenant, see meditation 33.
About conversion, see meditations 19-26.
About rebirth or baptism in God’s Spirit, see meditations 27-34, 37 and 44.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
60. PERSONAL, CHRISTLIKE LOVE FOR THE FATHER AND HIS SON ( d ) : following the Spirit of Truth and obeying God's Word
Today we want to continue finding out what else the apostles wrote about pure and Christlike love for God.
b.) To love God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ wholeheartedly means to love the truth, especially the truth of God’s Word.
In chapter 13 of his first letter to the Christians in Corinth, Paul shows them that love is “the most excellent way” of life.
Although this passage is often read at wedding ceremonies, it is clear from all Paul’s letters that he does not speak here of human love in general or of love between husband and wife.
The apostle speaks of divine or Christlike love, given to us by our rebirth through God’s Spirit. Consider the way Paul speaks about love in his final greetings to the followers of Jesus in Corinth:
“May ... the love of God ... be with you all.”
(2 Corinthians 13:14)
In his first letter to the Corinthian Christians, the apostle Paul spurs them on to keep on the right path, saying: “Follow the way of love...” (1 Corinthians 14:1)
In the same letter Paul characterises pure and divine love by saying: “Love ... rejoices with the truth.” (1 Corinthians 13:6)
Jesus showed his disciples in the night before his death that God’s Spirit is ‘the Spirit of truth’: “I will send you the Counselor-- the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will tell you all about me.” (John 15:26)
Furthermore, Jesus said about God’s Spirit: “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not be presenting his own ideas; he will be telling you what he has heard (from God the Father and from His Son Jesus Messiah).”
(John 16:13)
To his fellow Christians in Ephesus (modern Turkey) the apostle Paul makes clear what will happen to us when we follow the guidance of the Spirit of truth on the path of love: “We will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ...” (Ephesians 4:15)
To the followers of Jesus in Thessalonica (Greece), Paul explains the link between love and truth. He shows them what will happen to people who don’t love the truth of God’s message about Jesus Messiah: “They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.” (2 Thessalonians 2:10)
The apostle Peter points to the fact that followers of Jesus have undergone a complete change of lifestyle. When they accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord, they drop their former rebellious way of life and start to follow the Spirit of truth and learn to live a Christlike life.
Peter writes to his fellow Christians: “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love...” (1 Peter 1:22)
The apostle John warns all Jesus’ followers of hypocrisy by saying: “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:18)
On the other hand, John is glad when Christians abide by God’s Word. He writes: “It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth.” (3 John 1:3)
John finishes his second letter to all God’s reborn children with the greeting: “May grace, mercy, and peace, which come from God our Father and from Jesus Christ his Son, be with us who live in truth and love.” (2 John 1:3)
The Bible is full of stories of men and women who loved God the Father and His Son Jesus Messiah. They had decided to obey God’s Word and ‘walk in the truth’. Especially in the Psalms, we meet people who long for God, rejoice in His love, and abide by His Word.
Why is it that worldwide, a growing number of today’s church leaders are concerned about the fact that so many followers of Jesus seek ‘spiritual experiences’, but hardly have any in-depth knowledge of God’s Word?
How easily do such Christians fall into the trap of false teaching. The apostle Paul calls such people: “... infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.” (Ephesians 4:14).
Rather, Paul wants us to grow in Christlike love, in the knowledge of God’s Word and in obedience to God’s Will. He continues: “Instead, we will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ...” (Ephesians 4:15)
Since Jesus’ death and resurrection, following the Spirit of truth, obeying God’s Word [the Bible], and growing into wholehearted Christlike love for God has become a real possibility.
Have you embraced that multiple offer of salvation?
(to be continued)
The Bible verses 2 Corinthians 13:14, 1 Corinthians 14:1, 1 Corinthians 13:6, Ephesians 4:14, 2 Thessalonians 2:10, 1 Peter 1:22, 1 John 3:18 and 3 John 1:3 are quotes of the New International Version. The other texts are quoted from the New Living Translation.
b.) To love God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ wholeheartedly means to love the truth, especially the truth of God’s Word.
In chapter 13 of his first letter to the Christians in Corinth, Paul shows them that love is “the most excellent way” of life.
Although this passage is often read at wedding ceremonies, it is clear from all Paul’s letters that he does not speak here of human love in general or of love between husband and wife.
The apostle speaks of divine or Christlike love, given to us by our rebirth through God’s Spirit. Consider the way Paul speaks about love in his final greetings to the followers of Jesus in Corinth:
“May ... the love of God ... be with you all.”
(2 Corinthians 13:14)
In his first letter to the Corinthian Christians, the apostle Paul spurs them on to keep on the right path, saying: “Follow the way of love...” (1 Corinthians 14:1)
In the same letter Paul characterises pure and divine love by saying: “Love ... rejoices with the truth.” (1 Corinthians 13:6)
Jesus showed his disciples in the night before his death that God’s Spirit is ‘the Spirit of truth’: “I will send you the Counselor-- the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will tell you all about me.” (John 15:26)
Furthermore, Jesus said about God’s Spirit: “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not be presenting his own ideas; he will be telling you what he has heard (from God the Father and from His Son Jesus Messiah).”
(John 16:13)
To his fellow Christians in Ephesus (modern Turkey) the apostle Paul makes clear what will happen to us when we follow the guidance of the Spirit of truth on the path of love: “We will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ...” (Ephesians 4:15)
To the followers of Jesus in Thessalonica (Greece), Paul explains the link between love and truth. He shows them what will happen to people who don’t love the truth of God’s message about Jesus Messiah: “They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.” (2 Thessalonians 2:10)
The apostle Peter points to the fact that followers of Jesus have undergone a complete change of lifestyle. When they accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord, they drop their former rebellious way of life and start to follow the Spirit of truth and learn to live a Christlike life.
Peter writes to his fellow Christians: “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love...” (1 Peter 1:22)
The apostle John warns all Jesus’ followers of hypocrisy by saying: “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:18)
On the other hand, John is glad when Christians abide by God’s Word. He writes: “It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth.” (3 John 1:3)
John finishes his second letter to all God’s reborn children with the greeting: “May grace, mercy, and peace, which come from God our Father and from Jesus Christ his Son, be with us who live in truth and love.” (2 John 1:3)
The Bible is full of stories of men and women who loved God the Father and His Son Jesus Messiah. They had decided to obey God’s Word and ‘walk in the truth’. Especially in the Psalms, we meet people who long for God, rejoice in His love, and abide by His Word.
Why is it that worldwide, a growing number of today’s church leaders are concerned about the fact that so many followers of Jesus seek ‘spiritual experiences’, but hardly have any in-depth knowledge of God’s Word?
How easily do such Christians fall into the trap of false teaching. The apostle Paul calls such people: “... infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.” (Ephesians 4:14).
Rather, Paul wants us to grow in Christlike love, in the knowledge of God’s Word and in obedience to God’s Will. He continues: “Instead, we will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ...” (Ephesians 4:15)
Since Jesus’ death and resurrection, following the Spirit of truth, obeying God’s Word [the Bible], and growing into wholehearted Christlike love for God has become a real possibility.
Have you embraced that multiple offer of salvation?
(to be continued)
The Bible verses 2 Corinthians 13:14, 1 Corinthians 14:1, 1 Corinthians 13:6, Ephesians 4:14, 2 Thessalonians 2:10, 1 Peter 1:22, 1 John 3:18 and 3 John 1:3 are quotes of the New International Version. The other texts are quoted from the New Living Translation.
Friday, August 12, 2011
59. PERSONAL, CHRISTLIKE LOVE FOR THE FATHER AND HIS SON ( c ) : a gift from God's Spirit
In the last two meditations we saw what Jesus told us about divine love for God the Father and God the Son. We also looked at the ways the apostles echoed Jesus’ teaching on divine love.
This time we want to see what else the apostles wrote about Christlike love for God.
a.) Christlike love for God is a gift from God’s Spirit. It also fulfils the first and greatest command of God’s Law.
First of all the apostle Pauls states clearly that it is God’s Spirit who produces true and pure Christlike love in our hearts. It is a divine gift we receive after conversion and through rebirth.
The apostle Paul reminds the followers of Jesus in Rome of the start of their walk with Christ: “God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” (Romans 5:2)
The apostle stresses to the Christians in the province of Galatia (modern Turkey) that “The fruit of the Spirit is love...”
(Galatians 5:22)
For the followers of Jesus in Ephesus (modern Turkey) Paul prays: “... Out of his [God’s] glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ...”
(Ephesians 3:16-18)
Here the apostle speaks in one sentence about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, resulting in the presence of Christ and his love in our hearts.
Having received God’s Spirit and his love, Paul encourages his fellow Christians: “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1-2)
In his first letter the apostle John points out: “... love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.....
We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.....
If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.”
(1 John 4:7-8. 13.15. 16).
In all these texts we see that Jesus’ atoning sacrifice for our sins, the gift of God’s Spirit, and the outpouring of God’s love in our hearts through His Spirit, are all part and parcel of God’s saving grace.
So, what about God’s first and greatest command in the Sinai Covenant to love Him “with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37).
As I have by nature a selfish and rebellious heart, how could I ever fulfil this command by myself?
Indeed, as Paul writes to the Christians in Rome: “Love is the fulfilment of the Law (of God).” (NIV Romans 13:10)
It is only the Spirit of Christ in me who makes me able to fulfil God’s Law. Paul writes to the followers of Jesus in Galatia:
“I advise you to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves.
The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants.
And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires.
These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict.
But when you are directed by the Holy Spirit, you are no longer subject to the Law (of God)” (Galatians 5:16-18)
Again Paul stresses the same truth some verses later:
“When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love .....
Here there is no conflict with the Law (of God).
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.
If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives.” (Galatians 5:22-25)
(to be continued)
The Bible verses Galatians 5:16-18 and Galatians 5:22-25 are quotes of the New Living Translation. The other texts are quoted from the New International Version.
About the Sinai Covenant and the New (Messianic) Covenant, see meditation 33.
About Jesus' love for God the Father, see meditation 15.
About conversion, see meditations 19-26.
About rebirth or baptism in God’s Spirit, see meditations 27-34, 37 and 44.
This time we want to see what else the apostles wrote about Christlike love for God.
a.) Christlike love for God is a gift from God’s Spirit. It also fulfils the first and greatest command of God’s Law.
First of all the apostle Pauls states clearly that it is God’s Spirit who produces true and pure Christlike love in our hearts. It is a divine gift we receive after conversion and through rebirth.
The apostle Paul reminds the followers of Jesus in Rome of the start of their walk with Christ: “God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” (Romans 5:2)
The apostle stresses to the Christians in the province of Galatia (modern Turkey) that “The fruit of the Spirit is love...”
(Galatians 5:22)
For the followers of Jesus in Ephesus (modern Turkey) Paul prays: “... Out of his [God’s] glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ...”
(Ephesians 3:16-18)
Here the apostle speaks in one sentence about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, resulting in the presence of Christ and his love in our hearts.
Having received God’s Spirit and his love, Paul encourages his fellow Christians: “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1-2)
In his first letter the apostle John points out: “... love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.....
We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.....
If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.”
(1 John 4:7-8. 13.15. 16).
In all these texts we see that Jesus’ atoning sacrifice for our sins, the gift of God’s Spirit, and the outpouring of God’s love in our hearts through His Spirit, are all part and parcel of God’s saving grace.
So, what about God’s first and greatest command in the Sinai Covenant to love Him “with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37).
As I have by nature a selfish and rebellious heart, how could I ever fulfil this command by myself?
Indeed, as Paul writes to the Christians in Rome: “Love is the fulfilment of the Law (of God).” (NIV Romans 13:10)
It is only the Spirit of Christ in me who makes me able to fulfil God’s Law. Paul writes to the followers of Jesus in Galatia:
“I advise you to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves.
The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants.
And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires.
These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict.
But when you are directed by the Holy Spirit, you are no longer subject to the Law (of God)” (Galatians 5:16-18)
Again Paul stresses the same truth some verses later:
“When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love .....
Here there is no conflict with the Law (of God).
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.
If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives.” (Galatians 5:22-25)
(to be continued)
The Bible verses Galatians 5:16-18 and Galatians 5:22-25 are quotes of the New Living Translation. The other texts are quoted from the New International Version.
About the Sinai Covenant and the New (Messianic) Covenant, see meditation 33.
About Jesus' love for God the Father, see meditation 15.
About conversion, see meditations 19-26.
About rebirth or baptism in God’s Spirit, see meditations 27-34, 37 and 44.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
58. PERSONAL, CHRISTLIKE LOVE FOR THE FATHER AND HIS SON ( b ) : unconditional obedience and uninterrupted fellowship
In this meditation we want to continue identifying how Jesus characterises ‘Christlike love’ for God the Father and for Himself as God the Son.
As we said last time, it is not a series of commands to obey. We could never manage that by our own efforts. Only God’s Spirit is able to empower us to such love. It is the way Jesus lived on earth. Only such love shows what it means to be created in God’s image:
c.) To love God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ wholeheartedly means to obey them unconditionally.
The evening before Jesus died, he spoke with His disciples a great deal about loving Him and His heavenly Father. He explained that such sacrificial love would express itself in wholehearted and unconditional obedience:
“If you love me, obey my commandments” (John 14:15).
“Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me.
He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.
Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?"
Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.
My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
He who does not love me will not obey my teaching.
These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me” (John 14:21-24).
“If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.....
Greater love has no-one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.”
(John 15:10-14)
Also in his first letter the apostle John relates sacrificial love for God with wholehearted obedience:
“We know that we have come to know him [Jesus Christ] if we obey his commands.
The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his Word, God's love is truly made complete in him.”
(1 John 2:3-5a)
“This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. This is love for God: to obey his commands” (1 John 5:2).
d.) To love God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ wholeheartedly means to live in uninterrupted fellowship with them.
Twice in John’s Gospel Jesus emphasises the importance to love Him continuously:
“As the Father has loved me, so [in like manner] have I loved you. Now remain in my love” (John 15:9).
"If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.”
(John 15:10)
Later in his ministry, the apostle John repeats Jesus’ words to his followers:
“And now, dear children, continue to live in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame” (1 John 2:28).
e.) To love God the Father wholeheartedly means to love His Son Jesus Christ in the same way.
According to Jesus’ words it is not possible to truly love God the Father without loving God the Son wholeheartedly as well!
Jesus told the Jewish leaders who proudly claimed that God was their Father: “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me” (John 8:42)
“The Father leaves all judgment to his Son, so that everyone will honor the Son, just as they honor the Father.
But if you refuse to honor the Son, then you are certainly not honoring the Father who sent him” (John 5:22-23).
The evening before He died, Jesus taught his disciples:
“Anyone who hates me hates my Father, too. If I hadn't done such miraculous signs among them that no one else could do, they would not be counted guilty. But as it is, they saw all that I did and yet hated both of us-- me and my Father.”
(John 15:23-24).
John proclaims the same truth again in his first letter:
“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ [the Messiah] is born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves his Child [Jesus Christ] as well” (1 John 5:1).
"Anyone who denies the Son doesn't have the Father either. But anyone who confesses the Son has the Father also."
(1 John 2:23)
The followers of Jesus in the wealthy and pagan city of Corinth were seemingly confused by a host of problems and false teachings.
I think that’s why the apostle Paul finished his first letter to this church with the royal battle cry:
“If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ [the Messiah], let him be accursed. O Lord, come!” (1 Corinthians 16:22)
In today’s meditation as well as in the last meditation, we see that Christlike love for God the Father and for His Son Jesus Christ, expresses itself in sacrificial love and wholehearted devotion, in unconditional obedience, and in uninterrupted fellowship with them.
In his life and words Jesus revealed the characteristics of such divine love. The apostles reverberated it in their letters and in the way they lived among their fellow men.
As we said last time, we never could live such a life of love by our own efforts. Only God’s Spirit is able to empower us to such love. It is the way Jesus lived.
Such love truly restores in us the image and likeness of God. It’s a love that God’s Spirit plants in our hearts by our conversion and rebirth. It is a love He causes to grow ever stronger until it reaches full Christlike maturity.
Next time we want to see what else the apostles tell us about such divine and Christlike love for God.
(to be continued)
The Bible verses John 14:21-24, John 15:9-14, 1 John 2:3-5a and 1 John 5:1-2 are quotes of the New International Version. 1 Corinthians 16:22 is a quote from the New King James Version. The other texts are quoted from the New Living Translation.
About being made in God’s image, see meditations 13-16 and 18.
About Jesus' love for God the Father, see meditation 15.
About conversion, see meditations 19-26.
About rebirth or baptism in God’s Spirit, see meditations 27-34, 37 and 44.
As we said last time, it is not a series of commands to obey. We could never manage that by our own efforts. Only God’s Spirit is able to empower us to such love. It is the way Jesus lived on earth. Only such love shows what it means to be created in God’s image:
c.) To love God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ wholeheartedly means to obey them unconditionally.
The evening before Jesus died, he spoke with His disciples a great deal about loving Him and His heavenly Father. He explained that such sacrificial love would express itself in wholehearted and unconditional obedience:
“If you love me, obey my commandments” (John 14:15).
“Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me.
He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.
Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?"
Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.
My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
He who does not love me will not obey my teaching.
These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me” (John 14:21-24).
“If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.....
Greater love has no-one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.”
(John 15:10-14)
Also in his first letter the apostle John relates sacrificial love for God with wholehearted obedience:
“We know that we have come to know him [Jesus Christ] if we obey his commands.
The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his Word, God's love is truly made complete in him.”
(1 John 2:3-5a)
“This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. This is love for God: to obey his commands” (1 John 5:2).
d.) To love God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ wholeheartedly means to live in uninterrupted fellowship with them.
Twice in John’s Gospel Jesus emphasises the importance to love Him continuously:
“As the Father has loved me, so [in like manner] have I loved you. Now remain in my love” (John 15:9).
"If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.”
(John 15:10)
Later in his ministry, the apostle John repeats Jesus’ words to his followers:
“And now, dear children, continue to live in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame” (1 John 2:28).
e.) To love God the Father wholeheartedly means to love His Son Jesus Christ in the same way.
According to Jesus’ words it is not possible to truly love God the Father without loving God the Son wholeheartedly as well!
Jesus told the Jewish leaders who proudly claimed that God was their Father: “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me” (John 8:42)
“The Father leaves all judgment to his Son, so that everyone will honor the Son, just as they honor the Father.
But if you refuse to honor the Son, then you are certainly not honoring the Father who sent him” (John 5:22-23).
The evening before He died, Jesus taught his disciples:
“Anyone who hates me hates my Father, too. If I hadn't done such miraculous signs among them that no one else could do, they would not be counted guilty. But as it is, they saw all that I did and yet hated both of us-- me and my Father.”
(John 15:23-24).
John proclaims the same truth again in his first letter:
“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ [the Messiah] is born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves his Child [Jesus Christ] as well” (1 John 5:1).
"Anyone who denies the Son doesn't have the Father either. But anyone who confesses the Son has the Father also."
(1 John 2:23)
The followers of Jesus in the wealthy and pagan city of Corinth were seemingly confused by a host of problems and false teachings.
I think that’s why the apostle Paul finished his first letter to this church with the royal battle cry:
“If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ [the Messiah], let him be accursed. O Lord, come!” (1 Corinthians 16:22)
In today’s meditation as well as in the last meditation, we see that Christlike love for God the Father and for His Son Jesus Christ, expresses itself in sacrificial love and wholehearted devotion, in unconditional obedience, and in uninterrupted fellowship with them.
In his life and words Jesus revealed the characteristics of such divine love. The apostles reverberated it in their letters and in the way they lived among their fellow men.
As we said last time, we never could live such a life of love by our own efforts. Only God’s Spirit is able to empower us to such love. It is the way Jesus lived.
Such love truly restores in us the image and likeness of God. It’s a love that God’s Spirit plants in our hearts by our conversion and rebirth. It is a love He causes to grow ever stronger until it reaches full Christlike maturity.
Next time we want to see what else the apostles tell us about such divine and Christlike love for God.
(to be continued)
The Bible verses John 14:21-24, John 15:9-14, 1 John 2:3-5a and 1 John 5:1-2 are quotes of the New International Version. 1 Corinthians 16:22 is a quote from the New King James Version. The other texts are quoted from the New Living Translation.
About being made in God’s image, see meditations 13-16 and 18.
About Jesus' love for God the Father, see meditation 15.
About conversion, see meditations 19-26.
About rebirth or baptism in God’s Spirit, see meditations 27-34, 37 and 44.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)