Kind, gentle, love of God
As I travel on this road to Jesus, I’m slowly learning how central love is in the whole equation of salvation.
God’s gracious example to us, especially as seen in Christ’s dealings with His disciples, is the only lighthouse toward which we must steer our personal religious experience in the storms of 21st century life.
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (Jn. 3:36). Love, gracious divine love, patient, long-suffering, kind love will keep us friendly with God. And when a knowledge of God’s love is lost from the people of God, they end up being cold and listless, and even bad to one another. When God’s love no longer holds center stage in the thinking of Christians, every fanatical doctrine under the sun runs rampant. Without the pure, selfless love of God sanctifying our hearts and minds, we lose control, and self-righteous fanaticism of all brands springs up.
But, when gracious love is preached and understood and believed, then all our worries and cold-heartedness disappears. All anxiety and indifference flies away and we are left able to obey all that God commands. We are one be happy family.
Love is the glue that keeps us loyal to God’s requirements. Without a knowledge of His gracious love, we feel nothing but condemnation from His high standard. Condemnation creates psychotic, unbalanced minds. A crushed heart is the devil’s goal. “He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger,” (Is. 14:6), desires to “scatter the power of the holy people,” (Dan. 12:7), thus to control our ability to think and break down our judgment, through devouring our faith and crushing our spirits.
And then all sorts of psychological malfunctions occur. Schizophrenia is a byproduct of the loss of God and His love. No church or family unit or workplace can function with the heavy weight of condemnation crushing the life out of each individual. No society can excel or nation be exalted under repression and oppressive governments. This the early republic of America proved true as it blossomed into a world empire.
Love must become focal in our thinking. We must hope in God’s mercy and claim His precious promises.
Psalm 6
O Lord, rebuke me not in Thine anger, neither chasten me in Thy hot displeasure.
Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak: O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed.
My soul is also sore vexed: but Thou, O Lord, how long?
Return, O Lord, deliver my soul: oh save me for Thy mercies’ sake.
For in death there is no remembrance of Thee: in the grave who shall give Thee thanks?
I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.
Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies.
Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping.
The Lord hath heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer.” (Ps. 6:1-9).
God’s gracious example to us, especially as seen in Christ’s dealings with His disciples, is the only lighthouse toward which we must steer our personal religious experience in the storms of 21st century life.
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (Jn. 3:36). Love, gracious divine love, patient, long-suffering, kind love will keep us friendly with God. And when a knowledge of God’s love is lost from the people of God, they end up being cold and listless, and even bad to one another. When God’s love no longer holds center stage in the thinking of Christians, every fanatical doctrine under the sun runs rampant. Without the pure, selfless love of God sanctifying our hearts and minds, we lose control, and self-righteous fanaticism of all brands springs up.
But, when gracious love is preached and understood and believed, then all our worries and cold-heartedness disappears. All anxiety and indifference flies away and we are left able to obey all that God commands. We are one be happy family.
Love is the glue that keeps us loyal to God’s requirements. Without a knowledge of His gracious love, we feel nothing but condemnation from His high standard. Condemnation creates psychotic, unbalanced minds. A crushed heart is the devil’s goal. “He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger,” (Is. 14:6), desires to “scatter the power of the holy people,” (Dan. 12:7), thus to control our ability to think and break down our judgment, through devouring our faith and crushing our spirits.
And then all sorts of psychological malfunctions occur. Schizophrenia is a byproduct of the loss of God and His love. No church or family unit or workplace can function with the heavy weight of condemnation crushing the life out of each individual. No society can excel or nation be exalted under repression and oppressive governments. This the early republic of America proved true as it blossomed into a world empire.
Love must become focal in our thinking. We must hope in God’s mercy and claim His precious promises.
Psalm 6
O Lord, rebuke me not in Thine anger, neither chasten me in Thy hot displeasure.
Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak: O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed.
My soul is also sore vexed: but Thou, O Lord, how long?
Return, O Lord, deliver my soul: oh save me for Thy mercies’ sake.
For in death there is no remembrance of Thee: in the grave who shall give Thee thanks?
I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.
Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies.
Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping.
The Lord hath heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer.” (Ps. 6:1-9).
posted by David | 8:12 AM
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