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.
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