Tag Archives: love

The Manner of Love

02 Wednesday Sep 2015

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

,

In 1 John 3:1, the Lord’s apostle calls our attention to the “manner of love” bestowed on Christians. In fact, he wants us to consider it thoroughly.  Exactly what is this “manner of love” bestowed on us? It is that we, those who are saved by the blood of Christ, are children of God. What is so significant about this descriptive term? This is what John wants us think on when he uses the (NKJV) word “Behold.” We are to think about, reflect on it. When we do so, then what God did for us through Jesus begins to resonate in us in a way unlike before. The word “manner” is better understood as “lavish” (Smalley), but the literal meaning of the Greek word (potapeen) is “of what country.” Thus, God’s love for us was so great that by being called His children, we are no longer of this world, but of a different world (country). Since we are citizens of a “different country” let us not live with a “dual citizenship” status.

The Meaning of Life

30 Monday Mar 2015

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

The Bible character Job was a man that had much wealth with regard to possessions and, from an earthly perspective, with regard to his family. In but a short time, however, he lost it all. He did not understand why he lost it all in the way that he did, he only knew that it was now gone. When the dust settled (so to speak), Job lamented it all, asking for what purpose was he born.

That is an interesting question to ponder for a moment or two. If one were to ask you “For what purpose were you born?” how would you answer? You may have to think on this a bit, and then when you answer, you might offer an answer (answers) with a tinge of doubt.

The meaning of life in the physical realm is not so easily discerned. There are many who seek to establish their own meaning, but since there is much difficulty finding and keeping employment, tending to one’s obligations with life and responsibility, one hardly has time to think of questions of this sort. But considering questions like this they will, especially when life has begun to reach into the retirement years.

Job desired to understand, but clarity escaped him. He did only what any of us can do; he came to rely on God in a special way that he previously failed to grasp. We, too, must rely on the Creator for such answers. We may never experience what Job experienced, but whether our experience is great or small, reliance is the key to all.

Each of us assigns ourselves a meaning; the problem with such an assignment is that we merely guess, assigning something that is of particular interest. In the end – was there (is there) any real meaning to my life? The answer is yes, and the answer is located in Matthew 22:34-40. This approach to life will certainly make a difference in the lives of other people, and by a standard that is not of this world.

 

 

 

A Word to the Wise

22 Thursday Jan 2015

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , ,

Do they not go astray who devise evil? Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness (Proverbs 14:22, ESV). Think about what is being said here. The plotters of evil are worse than those who actually do evil. Sometimes the evil done is on the “spur of the moment” with no planning. The planner, however, has a heart that is devises evil – a lot like the devil with cunning seeking to destroy. On the other hand, the one who plans to do good not only is doing something virtuous in making plans to benefit someone else, but that which is received by them in accomplishing their plan is even greater.  The positive response is sometimes greater than the action done because there is an understanding of what it means to love God and one’s neighbor.

And You Gave?

27 Monday Oct 2014

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,

It is the prerogative of the parent (parents) to leave an inheritance to the children, or descendants. What is it that you will leave? Will it be all your earthly possessions, or will it be a portion? Whatever it is, it is in your power to do as you wish.

In 1 Chronicles 28 and 29, one reads of the last days of David and his counsel to his son Solomon. He counseled him in regards to loyalty and to the building of the Temple and its complex. In 29:2-5, David speaks of that which he gave to the work. As king he could give a lot, but it is of note that what he gave was that which belonged to him (vs. 3).

You will remember in your reading that the Lord was satisfied with the tabernacle plans and product he gave to Moses some 400 years earlier (1 Chronicles 17:6). That which David had prepared to build was of his desire, but once it was set in motion, the plans were of the Lord (28:19). David gave much in heart and materials to this plan.

It was David’s wish to do this, and he set himself on that course. My wife and I won’t be able to leave much to our girls, for we won’t have much. That which we have—it will all be theirs. What is of greater importance to us is what they already gained from us, that is, our teaching them the Lord’s way and prioritizing Him in our lives.

That which David gave belonged to the Lord already, and in his word of praise he mentioned as much (29:14). That which the Lord gave to each of us is that which already belongs to Him. What we leave our children, will it be material, or something of greater value? Have we prepared them well-enough to face life as it is, and to face the Lord as He is?

GOING TO CHURCH

07 Tuesday Oct 2014

Posted by in Faithfulness, Relationship, Salvation, Teaching

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

“Going to church” is not a matter of going to the building as some sort of check off list. It is not a matter of “works religion.” Gathering together with the saints is much more than that. The saints in the first century did so (Acts 20:7), and Paul exhorted the saints in Corinth to do the same (1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 4:17). Those who love the Lord won’t be any place but where the Lord desires, and for the reasons the Lord desires.

Here are some points for your consideration: 1) Matthew 16:13-19—Jesus “built” (established) His church. 2) Ephesians 1:22-23—Jesus is the head of His church, His body. 3) Ephesians 4:4—There is one body (church). 4) Ephesians 5:23-32—The church is the saved. Paul wrote to the local body (in Ephesus); he did not delineate between the local, visible, invisible, and/or universal church. 5) Hebrews 10:19-31—After a lengthy discussion on the differences between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant, the Holy Spirit gives a number of exhortations in this section: a) the saints are to draw near with a true heart (10:22), b) the saints are to hold fast their confession (10:23; cf. Romans 10:9-10), c) the saints are to consider one another (10:24), d) the saints are not to forsake (abandon) the assembling together (10:25); this is your “go to church.” e) to sin willfully is to crucify the Son of God afresh (10:26), f) it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (10:31).

What’s hard to understand? For one who doesn’t want to understand, maybe it’s the heart that is hard.

The Pattern

11 Tuesday Mar 2014

Posted by in Doctrine, Faithfulness, God, love, Man-Made Churches, Teaching

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,

There are some in the Christian world who look upon the idea of a pattern (a correct way to do things) in religion as being something to be dismissed. In fact, some call this legalistic, and that it is in part and whole contrary to the New Testament. Is this true? It is not!

The idea behind a pattern finds its way into religion from God. To Moses the Lord said, “And see to it that you make them [articles of the Tabernacle] according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain” (Exodus 25:40, NKJV). As the children of Israel made their way from Egypt to the land of promise (Canaan) and embarked on clearing the land of its evil, it was finally the case that the Israelites were able to “rest from their labors” and go home. Joshua gave the departing ones a word of exhortation, “But take careful heed to do the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to hold fast to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul” (Joshua 22:5). You will note in this word from Joshua two important ideas. First, the Israelites were to pay attention to the Lord and do exactly what He said. Second, they were to have their motivation (love) properly in place. This is the idea behind what some people disparagingly call “pattern theology.” Those who do so speak about that which the Lord set in place!

So important was this concept that the people of Israel were alarmed when they heard of a compromise existing (Joshua 22). After having laid down their arms they were prepared to take them up again because of the perceived compromise. In other words, they were prepared to do battle with their brothers (22:13-21). After some conversation it was learned by the leaders of Israel there was no attempt to compromise the Lord’s way (22:29), but that which was built was done as a witness (a replica, a pattern) for later generations (22:26-28).

In this there is a lesson. What some ridicule as “pattern theology” actually got its origin from God, not any man. Whatever failings man may have had in implementation of the Lord’s pattern, let us not be guilty of doing the same. There are two things to keep in mind: first, when the Lord said something on a particular topic, that which the Lord said (commanded) is that which is to be done in the way He said to do it. He did not give to man the option to alter what He said, only to choose to obey or not. Second, those who serve the Lord faithfully understand the Lord’s mercy and its underserving quality. Because this is understood, the love that is expressed to the Lord brings about obedience. Joshua understood this and, when he was preparing to pass from this life, set before the people of Israel the alternative to the Lord’s way (Joshua 24:14-15). In the Lord’s church, those who are faithful to the Lord understand the same. The structure of the church, the structure of worship, the behavior in life—these are things the Lord addressed for His saints to understand and to submit to.

 

Isn’t that what love does?

07 Tuesday Jan 2014

Posted by in Leadership, Relationship

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

, , , ,

Each time I read the historical story associated with Samson I can’t help but reflect on his stupidity! Whatever is to be said about Delilah, or any other person in Judges 13-16, it’s Samson who plays with fires and gets burned. As much as I marvel at Samson, I learn that what plagued a people then plagues us as well: a failure to understand what love is and does. Delilah sold her dignity and defined her actions as “love” toward Samson, but Samson didn’t have the wisdom to see that she was a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He didn’t see it because he evidently thought that “love” would not betray him. When example after example presented itself he dismissed it because God, he thought, loved him and would not leave him. A misunderstanding of love results in a misapplication of the same. Love does not manipulate, does not betray, and will not suffer fools. Love will, however, instruct, persuade, hold in confidence, and correct the foolish. God did.

Incapable of being saved?

16 Wednesday Oct 2013

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,

Paul speaks to this in Romans 5:20-21. There are some who view one’s own life as a life unworthy of salvation. “God will not save a wretch like me!” In other words, the person feels they have piled up sins so high that not even God’s love can overcome
that height. This is not only a depressive sentiment, it is terribly mistaken. In the context of the sins that are leveled against the individual, and how “piling up” they are, Paul said this: “Now the law [Law of Moses] came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more” (Romans 5:20, ESV). Here is the point: no matter how high one’s sins pile up, there is NOTHING that can prevent God’s love from penetrating a person’s heart and bring that pile crashing to the ground (if you will). Incapable of being saved? Hardly! Only unwilling.

Interfaith Discussion (2)

24 Saturday Mar 2012

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

In the last essay we talked about having clarity of understanding with regard to love. Love seeks to do that which is good to and for man, and we used John 3:16 to help us understand that clarity. In this essay we want to answer the questions that have been posed by those seeking an interfaith understanding in how people are healed in a world of divisiveness and confusion. Those questions are:

  1. What kind of love has the power to heal us – mind, body, and spirit?
  2. What did Jesus teach about the power of love to heal?
  3. How have you seen love heal tough issues in human experience – bodily, emotionally, socially, politically?
  4. How do we welcome more of the healing power of love into our lives on a daily basis?
  5. What if we are unwilling or unable to love others or open up to the power of love to heal?

What kind of love has the power to heal us – mind, body, and spirit? The only kind of love that has the power to heal all of us of our broken hearts is the power of God’s love (Matthew 11:28-30). Our bodies may not be healed of any physical infirmities, but our mind and spirit can be. Physical infirmities due to circumstances in life are things we must learn to live with; that does not mean that prayer is not to be offered to the Lord for a physical healing, but it does mean until the Lord grants it (assuming He does) we must live with it.

What did Jesus teach about the power of love to heal? The power of love is seen in the gospel of Jesus Christ (John 3:16; Romans 1:16-17; Titus 2:11-12). The simplicity of answer is also the profundity in the solution we seek. When the Scriptures exhort us to love our brother (1 John 4:7-10) there is in no sense anything that suggests we ought to accept wrong-doing, or evil (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

How have you seen love heal tough issues in human experience – bodily, emotionally, socially, politically? The tough issues of life are best addressed by God. That does not mean that we will escape them, but it does mean we can endure those tough situations that life presents because it is to the Lord we turn (1 Peter 5:6-7; cf. 1 Corinthians 10:13). Without having one to whom we can go for guidance, the proper solution will be out of reach. With regard to politics let us note that when people align themselves with God and His policies then political alignments are not so nearly as strong. If one were to have the same passion in Christianity as they do in politics the world would be turned upside down! In fact, it would be best if our “political” affiliation said Christian.

How do we welcome more of the healing power of love into our lives on a daily basis? The simple answer is found in Matthew 11:28-30 (Hebrews 12:1-2), with an additional consideration of 2 Peter 1:5-9.

What if we are unwilling or unable to love others or open up to the power of love to heal? When we use man as the standard by which we understand and apply love, then we will continue to be unwilling and unable. On the other hand, if we seek to please God and use His standard, then our unwillingness and inability will soon gravitate toward willingness and able to do so; how can it not?

Can anyone improve upon Matthew 7:12 (the Golden Rule)? If not, why try?

Interfaith Discussion (1)

23 Friday Mar 2012

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

In our local newspaper (Mattoon-Charleston News-Gazette) there is a news brief/advertisement for an interfaith discussion in regard to the power of faith to heal. This sounds pleasant, but I have heard such nebulous titles before and have noticed there is a continuation of such topics in a nebulous sort of answering. The questions posed and to be addressed on this occasion are the following:

  1. What kind of love has the power to heal us – mind, body, and spirit?
  2. What did Jesus teach about the power of love to heal?
  3. How have you seen love heal tough issues in human experience – bodily, emotionally, socially, politically?
  4. How do we welcome more of the healing power of love into our lives on a daily basis?
  5. What if we are unwilling or unable to love others or open up to the power of love to heal?

I desire, in this essay, to address these questions. First, however, there needs to be clarity of understanding with the use of the word “love.” Exactly what does one mean when the word “love” is used in a sentence? If we use the standard of God to help us understand love, then we have a starting point to address the questions. Let us use John 3:16, “For God so loved the world…” The word “love” means what in this passage? If we use the English dictionary we come away with this understanding (when used in the noun form): a strong affection for another, a warm attachment, an object of attachment, devotion, and finally, unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another (there are actually nine definitions, but only the first four did I make use of).[1] Will this give us clarity of understanding? If we apply the first three English ideas of love to John 3:16, we can say that it helps, but I don’t think clarity is in view. We still don’t know what love means, we only know that the Lord has an attachment to His creation.

If we make use of the fourth definition, however, and couple this with a dictionary based on New Testament Greek we learn this: “A biblical definition of love starts with God, never us…”[2] Using this as our starting point we learn that God always manifests His love toward man by seeking that which is good for man. What does that mean when we say that God seeks man’s good? When we read John 3:16 we learn that God manifested His love toward man by seeking that which is good for man; He sent His Son to teach us to deny ungodliness and live soberly, righteously, and godly in this world (Titus 2:11-12).

Note the clarity of understanding. We know that love is more than an attachment, warm affection, and even devotion. We now understand that love acts in a particular way, and is not necessarily tied to affection or emotion (though it can be).

Without this starting point there is no solution to the problems of our world, and neither is there a substantive answer to the various questions that are asked (and we will answer in our next post).

[1] Merriam Webster’s Deluxe Dictionary, Tenth Collegiate Edition, Readers Digest Edition, 1998, p. 1086

[2] Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, Zondervan, 2006, p. 427