WHY NOT MORE LOVE
BEFORE WE GET INTO THE MAIN PORTION OF OUR TEXT. IN LIGHT OF ALL THE TRAGEDY TAKING PLACE AROUND US, IN THESE LAST DAYS. WE WANT TO TAKE A FEW MOMENTS TO REFLECT ON THE BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW, OF SIN.
TURN WITH ME, TO ROMANS CHAPTER 5 VERSE 12. IT SAYS, WHEREFORE, AS BY ONE MAN, SIN ENTERED INTO THE WORLD, AND DEATH BY SIN, AND SO DEATH PASSED UPON ALL MEN, FOR THAT ALL, HAVE SINNED.
WHEN ADAM SINNED, SIN ENTERED THE ENTIRE HUMAN RACE. ADAM’S SIN BROUGHT DEATH. IT BROUGHT DEATH, AND IT SPREAD LIKE WILDFIRE. IT SPREAD LIKE WILDFIRE, ALL THE WAY INTO THE 21st CENTURY. ALL THE WAY INTO THE MURDEROUS SOCIETY THAT WE SEE RIGHT NOW IN 2007. ADAM AND EVE UNLEASHED A CATASTROPHIC CHAIN REACTION. IT WAS A CHAIN REACTION OF TRANSGRESSION, THAT AFFECTS ALL OF US. IT AFFECTS US ALL, BECAUSE ALL HAVE SINNED. YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT IN THIS VERY DANGEROUS WORLD OF THE WAR ON TERROR, AND SCHOOL SHOOTINGS YOUR ONLY SAFETY ZONE, IS IN JESUS CHRIST.
WHILE THERE ISN’T ANY GUARANTEES OF SAFETY IN THIS LIFE. THERE IS ONE GUARANTEE. IT’S THE GUARANTEE OF OUR HOPE OF SALVATION, IN THE LIFE TO COME. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THIS. THE ONLY WAY TO CHANGE TRAGEDY THAT TAKES PLACE AROUND YOU, IS TO MAKE THE CHANGE WITHIN YOURSELF. THINGS CHANGE ONLY WHEN YOU ACCEPT THE CHANGE, AND BECOME A BORN AGAIN, HOLY GHOST FILLED CHRISTIAN.
GOD HAS SENT ME TO REMIND YOU, THIS MORNING THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ANYONE COULD EVER DO, IN THIS LIFE, IS BECOME A BORN AGAIN CHRISTIAN. BECOME BORN AGAIN INTO A NEW CREATION IN CHRIST JESUS. IT’S THE ONLY SAFETY ZONE YOU WILL EVER FIND.
IN THE PAGES OF BIBLE HISTORY, YOU WILL FIND THAT HUMAN TRAGEDY IS ALMOST FOLLOWED BY A MIRACLE. ONE COULD CALL IT A MIRACULOUS TRANSFORMATION. WE MUST COME TO UNDERSTAND, AND FOCUS ON THE FACT THAT IT’S THE SAME GOD. IT’S THE SAME GOD WHO PERFORMS YOUR VERY OWN, MIRACULOUS TRANSFORMATION. IT’S THE SAME GOD WHO WILL ACCOMPLISH ALL THE GOOD IN THE MIDST OF ALL THE EVIL.
IT’S THE SAME GOD WHO USED AN HUMBLE SERVANT NAMED NOAH. HE USED AN HUMBLE SERVANT NAMED NOAH, AND BROUGHT ABOUT A NEW EXISTENCE. HE BROUGHT ABOUT A NEW EXISTENCE FOR MANKIND. IT’S THE SAME GOD WHO NOT ONLY DELIVERED HIS PEOPLE FROM SLAVERY, BUT DELIVERED THEM FROM THE TEN PLAGUES OF EGYPT, AS WELL.
IT’S THE SAME GOD WHO THROUGH THE DESTRUCTION OF JERICHO, BROUGHT THE BIRTH OF A NEW NATION IN A PROMISED LAND. IT’S THE SAME GOD WHO THROUGH THE DEATH OF HIS BELOVED SON, GAVE SALVATION TO ALL MANKIND. IT’S THE SAME GOD WHO THROUGH THE JUDGMENTS IN REVELATION, WILL BRING TO US HIS GREAT, ETERNAL KINGDOM.
SO, SINCE THERE’S SUCH A LACK OF LOVE, OR MAYBE I SHOULD SAY, A GREAT NEED FOR MORE LOVE, IN OUR WORLD TODAY. WE HAVE DECIDED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF MORE LOVE. WE WANT OT ASK THE QUESTION, " WHY NOT MORE LOVE"?
NOT ONLY IS THERE A LACK OF LOVE, OR THE NEED OF IT, IN OUR WORLD TODAY, BUT SO MANY PEOPLE SEEM CONFUSED ABOUT LOVE. THEY SEEM CONFUSED WITH THE IDEA OF WHAT LOVE, IS REALLY ALL ABOUT. THIS CONFUSION HAS CAUSED DIVISION, AND CORRUPTION, RIGHT IN THE CHURCH. WHICH IS THE VERY REASON WHY, I BELIEVE, THE CHURCH IS IN THE DECLINING STATE, IT’S IN TODAY.
SO, FOR THE SAKE OF COMPARISION, WE WANT TO BEGIN WITH A WORLD OPINION OF LOVE. SOMETIMES DURING THE LATE 70’s, A FAMOUS POP ARTIST SANG A SONG. SHE SANG A SONG ENTITLED, "WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT"? IN THE SECOND LINE OF THE LYRICS, SHE SAID, "WHAT’S LOVE, BUT A SECOND HAND EMOTION". NOW I DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I THINK THAT’S A PRETTY PATHETIC, DISGUSTING VIEW OF LOVE, DON’T YOU?
IF YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW WHAT LOVE’S GOT TO DO WITH IT. IF YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW WHAT LOVE IS ALL ABOUT, AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS IN YOUR LIFE. YOU NEED TO GO ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE ORIGINAL LOVE. BACK TO GOD’S LOVE FOR MANKIND. WE COULD GO AS FAR BACK, INTO THE BOOK OF GENESIS, TO THE BEGINNING OF TIME.
IN CHAPTER 1 VERSE 27 OF GENESIS, IT DESCRIBES THE CREATION OF MAN. GOD SAID, LET US MAKE MAN IN OUR IMAGE, AND AFTER OUR LIKENESS. SO GOD CREATED MAN IN HIS OWN IMAGE, IN THE IMAGE OF GOD CREATED HE HIM, MALE AND FEMALE CREATED HE THEM.
AND THEN, GOD SENT HIS ONLY SON, JESUS CHRIST, INTO THE WORLD, TO LIVE, AND DIE FOR EACH, AND EVERY ONE OF HIS CREATION EVEN THOUGH WE DIDN’T DESERVE IT. JESUS DID IT OUT OF PURE LOVE.
IN JOHN CHAPTER 15 VERSE 13, JESUS SPOKE THESE WORDS. JESUS SAID, GREATER LOVE HAS NO MAN THAN THIS, THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS. HE SAID, YOU ARE MY FRIENDS, IF YOU DO WHATSOEVER I COMMAND YOU.
AS WELL, THERE ARE THOSE WHO BELIEVE. YES, EVEN MANY IN THE CHURCH WHO BELIEVE BECAUSE OF THE WAY THEY LOOK. BECAUSE OF THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN, THAT GOD SOMEHOW PLAYS FAVORTISM. THERE ARE THOSE WHO BELIEVE, BECAUSE THEY LOOK A CERTAIN WAY. BECAUSE THEY THINK, THEY LOOK BEAUTIFUL, OR NOT SO BEAUTIFUL, THAT SOMEHOW GOD LOVES THEM, MUCH MORE. WELL, WE HAVE GOOD NEWS FOR YOU, TODAY.
THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT GOD’S LOVE IS UNIVERSAL, AND UNENDING. GOD LOVES ALL HIS CREATION. GOD CREATED ALL OF US, IN HIS IMAGE, IN HIS LIKENESS, AND HE LOVES US ALL THE SAME. YES, SINNERS TOO.
YOU NEED TO KNOW, WHEN THERE’S HATRED EMBEDDED IN YOUR HEART. CHRIST STILL DIED FOR YOU. WHEN YOU’RE POWERLESS OVER ADDICTION. CHRIST DIED FOR YOU. WHEN YOUR LIFE IS UNDER BONDAGE, AND PLAGUED WITH SIN. CHRIST DIED FOR YOU.
THE BIBLE SAYS IN ROMANS CHAPTER 2 VERSE 11, IT SAYS, THERE IS NO RESPECT OF PERSONS WITH GOD. IT ALSO SAYS IN JAMES CHAPTER 2 VERSE 9, IT SAYS, IF YOU HAVE RESPECT TO PERSONS, YOU COMMIT SIN. IT SAYS YOU COMMIT SIN, AND ARE CONVINCED OF THE LAW, AS TRANSGRESSORS.
AND THEN, MANY YEARS AGO, IN AN EXPRESSION OF LOVE TOWARD HIS CREATION, JESUS WHO FOR THE JOY THAT WAS SET BEFORE HIM, ENDURED THE CROSS, AND PAID THE PRICE FOR ME, AND FOR YOU.
DESPISING ALL THE SHAME, IT WAS JESUS WHO BORE THE PAIN. JESUS BORE THE STRIPES, HE BORE THE THORNS, AND SHED THE TEARS. NO GREATER EXPRESSION OF LOVE CAN EVER BE FOUND THAN THE FACT THAT JESUS TOOK THE FORM OF HUMANITY, AND HE DID IT FULL OF LOVE, FULL OF GRACE, AND FULL OF TRUTH.
IT SAYS IN ROMANS CHAPTER 5 VERSE 8 THAT GOD COMMENDS HIS LOVE TOWARD US, IN THAT, WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS CHRIST DIED FOR US. JESUS PAVED THE WAY ALL THE WAY TO CALVERY, SO WE COULD LIVE FOREVER.
THERE COMES A TIME IN OUR LIVES WHEN WE MUST COME FACE TO FACE WITH JESUS, AND BE WILLING TO MAKE A SACRAFICE. WE MUST BE WILLING TO MAKE A SACRIFICE, AND PUT FORTH AN EFFORT FOR TRUE, PERSONAL SALVATION. PUT FORTH THE EFFORT OF HAVING LOVE IN YOUR HEART, AND ACTING ON IT. THE KIND OF EFFORT THAT BRINGS OBEDIENCE TO GOD, AND GIVES GOD YOUR LOVE. THE KIND OF EFFORT OF LOVE THAT’S BEEN PUT INTO ACTION, FOR THE GLORY OF GOD.
WHEN YOU REALIZE IT’S ONLY GOD’S AMAZING GRACE THAT SAVES YOU. WHEN YOU REALIZE YOU LOVE HIM, BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED YOU. IT’S THEN THAT YOUR GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT CAN BE MADE THROUGH THE ACT OF ESTABLISHING, A ONE ON ONE RELATIONSHIP. A RELATIONSHIP BASED STRICTLY, ON LOVE. A RELATIONSHIP THAT ALWAYS PUTS GOD FIRST, IN ALL THAT YOU DO. THEN, YOU CAN BE ASSURED ALL THE ELEMENTS WILL COME TOGETHER FOR YOUR GOOD.
IN HIS TEACHING, THE BELOVED APOSTLE NAMED JOHN, PUTS FORTH THE PERFECT ANSWER. HE GIVES THE ANSWER, AND THEN, ASK THE QUESTION. HE SAID IN 1 JOHN CHAPTER 4 VERSE 20, HE SAID, IF A MAN SAY I LOVE GOD, AND HATES HIS BROTHER, HE IS A LIAR. FOR HE THAT LOVES NOT HIS BROTHER, WHOM HE HAS SEEN, HOW CAN HE LOVE GOD, WHOM HE HAS NOT SEEN?
AND THEN, JESUS GIVES HIS COMMAND. THE MOST IMPORTANT COMMANDMENT JESUS GAVE TO THE PHARISEES IS TO LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD. JESUS COMMANDS US TO LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND. HE SAYS, THIS IS THE FIRST AND GREATEST COMMANDMENT. AND THEN HE SAID, THE SECOND IS LIKE UNTO IT. JESUS COMMANDS US TO LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR, AS THYSELF. AND THEN HE SAID, ON THESE TWO COMMANDMENTS, HANG ALL THE LAW, AND THE PROPHETS.
THE BIBLE ALSO SAYS IN JAMES CHAPTER 2 VERSE 9, IT SAYS, IF YOU FULFILL THE ROYAL LAW ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURE, THOU SHALL LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF, YOU DO WELL. BUT IF YOU HAVE RESPECT TO PERSONS, YOU COMMIT SIN. IT SAYS, YOU COMMIT SIN, AND ARE CONVINCED OF THE LAW, AS TRANSGRESSORS.
IN VERSE 10 IT SAYS FOR WHOSOEVER SHALL KEEP THE WHOLE LAW, AND YET OFFEND IN ONE POINT, HE’S GUILTY OF ALL. BY OBEYING THIS MOST IMPORTANT COMMANDMENT, MY FRIENDS, AND LOVING YOUR NEIGHBOR THE SAME. YOU WILL HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THE GREAT SPIRIT OF LOVE AND YOU’LL BE ON A NEW JOURNEY WITH A NEW LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS. YOU WILL HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THE GREAT SPIRIT OF LOVE, UPON WHICH ALL OTHER COMMANDMENTS REST.
THE PSALMIST SAID, WITH MY WHOLE HEART. HE SAID, WITH MY WHOLE HEART HAVE I SOUGHT THEE. HE SAID, LET ME NOT WANDER FROM THY COMMANDMENTS, O LORD. I WILL PRAISE THEE, O LORD. I WILL PRAISE THEE WITH MY WHOLE HEART. HE SAID, I WILL SHOW FORTH ALL THY MARVELLOUS WORKS.
WHEN YOU FEEL YOU HAVE NOTHING TO GIVE, MY FRIENDS. GIVE LOVE. GIVE MORE LOVE. A FAMOUS QUOTE SOMEONE ONCE SAID GOES LIKE THIS, "YOU CAN GIVE WITHOUT LOVING, BUT NO MAN CAN LOVE, WITHOUT GIVING".
WHEN YOU REALIZE, AND ACCEPT WHAT GOD HAS DONE IN YOUR LIFE, IT BECOMES A NATURAL DUTY TO GIVE HIM LOVE. AND WHEN YOU HAVE LOVE FOR JESUS. WHEN YOU LOVE HIM WITH ALL YOUR HEART, MIND, BODY, AND SOUL. YOU WILL HAVE LOVE FOR THE BRETHREN, AS WELL. YOU SEE, WITHOUT GOD THERE IS NO LOVE.
AGAIN IN 1 JOHN CHAPTER 4 STARTING WITH VERSE ONE, JOHN SAYS, BELOVED, BELIEVE NOT EVERY SPIRIT, BUT TRY THE SPIRITS WHETHER THEY ARE OF GOD, BECAUSE MANY FALSE PROPHETS ARE GONE OUT INTO THE WORLD. HEREBY KNOW YOU THE SPIRIT OF GOD. EVERY SPIRIT THAT CONFESSES NOT THAT JESUS CHRIST IS COME IN THE FLESH IS NOT OF GOD, AND THIS IS THAT SPIRIT OF ANTICHRIST, WHEREOF YOU HAVE HEARD THAT IT SHOULD COME, AND EVEN NOW, ALREADY IS IT IN THE WORLD.
YOU ARE OF GOD, LITTLE CHILDREN, AND HAVE OVERCOME THEM, BECAUSE GREATER IS HE, THAT IS IN YOU, THAN HE, THAT IS IN THE WORLD.
THEY ARE OF THE WORLD, THEREFORE SPEAK THEY OF THE WORLD, AND THE WORLD HEARS THEM. WE ARE OF GOD, HE THAT KNOWS GOD HEARS US, HE THAT IS NOT OF GOD HEARS NOT US. HEREBY KNOW WE THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH, AND THE SPIRIT OF ERROR.
THE BELOVED APOSTLE JOHN TELLS US TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER, FOR LOVE IS OF GOD, AND EVERY ONE THAT LOVES IS BORN OF GOD, AND KNOWS GOD. HE THAT LOVES NOT, KNOWS NOT GOD, FOR GOD IS LOVE. IT NOT ONLY SAYS THAT GOD LOVES US, BUT IT SAYS THAT GOD IS LOVE.
YES, IT IS TRUE. YOU CAN BE ASSURED WHEN YOU BECOME A REAL CHRISTIAN. WHEN YOU COME TO KNOW WHO JESUS CHRIST REALLY IS. WHEN YOU REPENT OF YOUR SINS, BE REDEEMED, AND WASHED IN THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF THE LAMB IT ALL BECOMES NATURAL TO DO IT IN SPIRIT, AND IN TRUTH , JUST AS THE WORD OF GOD TEACHES.
THE BIBLE SAYS IN JOHN CHAPTER 4 VERSE 23 THAT THE HOUR COMES, AND NOW IS, WHEN TRUE WORSHIPPERS SHALL WORSHIP THE FATHER IN SPIRIT, AND IN TRUTH. IT SAYS, FOR THE FATHER SEEKS SUCH TO WORSHIP HIM. IT’S ONLY OUT OF LOVE THAT WE CAN TRULY WORSHIP, AND GIVE GOD THE PRAISE, HE’S SO WORTHY OF. WITHOUT LOVE OUR ABILITY TO WORSHIP GOD IS COMPARED TO A TINKLING CYMBAL.
SPEAKING TO THE CHURCH OF GOD AT CORINTH, THE BELOVED APOSTLE PAUL, TELLS THEM IN 1 CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 13, STARTING WITH VERSE ONE. THOUGH I SPEAK WITH THE TONGUES OF MEN AND OF ANGELS, AND HAVE NOT LOVE, I AM BECOME AS SOUNDING BRASS, OR A TINKLING CYMBAL. AND THOUGH I HAVE THE GIFT OF PROPHECY, AND UNDERSTAND ALL MYSTERIES, AND ALL KNOWLEDGE, AND THOUGH I HAVE ALL FAITH, SO THAT I COULD REMOVE MOUNTAINS, AND HAVE NOT LOVE. HE TELLS THEM, I AM NOTHING. AND THOUGH I BESTOW ALL MY GOODS TO FEED THE POOR, AND THOUGH I GIVE MY BODY TO BE BURNED, AND HAVE NOT LOVE, IT PROFITS ME NOTHING. HE TELLS THEM THAT LOVE SUFFERS LONG, AND IS KIND, LOVE ENVIES NOT, LOVE VAINETH NOT ITSELF, AND IS NOT PUFFED UP.
IN VERSE 8 HE TELLS THEM THAT LOVE NEVER FAILS, AND THEN IN VERSE 13. HE TELLS THEM NOW ABIDES FAITH, HOPE, LOVE, THESE THREE, BUT THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE. MY FRIENDS, THE ABILITY TO LOVE WILL GIVE NEW MEANING IN YOUR LIFE. THE ABILITY TO LOVE WILL GIVE NEW MEANING TO EVERYTHING YOU DO.
AS WELL, WHEN YOU HAVE LOVE EMBEDDED IN YOUR HEART YOU CAN BE IN THE SAME MIND, HAVING THE SAME LOVE FOR THE BRETHREN, AND FOR CHRIST. THE BIBLE SAYS IN PHILIPPIANS CHAPTER 2 STARTING WITH VERSE ONE, IT SAYS, "IF THERE BE THEREFORE ANY CONSOLATION IN CHRIST, IF ANY COMFORT OF LOVE, IF ANY FELLOWSHIP OF THE SPIRIT, IF ANY BOWELS AND MERCIES, IT SAYS, TO FULFILL YOU MY JOY, THAT YOU BE LIKEMINDED, HAVING THE SAME LOVE, BEING OF ONE ACCORD, AND OF ONE MIND. LOVE IS ALL ABOUT JESUS CHRIST. IT’S NOT ABOUT FAVORTISM. IT’S NOT ABOUT HATING ON PEOPLE. LOVE OPPOSES HATRED. LOVE IS ABOUT OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.
TURN WITH ME NOW, TO GALATIONS CHAPTER 5. WE WANT TO SHARE BASIC INGREDIENTS THAT CAN BE USED, FOR A REAL CHRISTIAN’S WALK, WITH GOD.
THE BELOVED APOSTLE PAUL STATES, NOT ONLY THE OBVIOUS, BUT PAUL CONNECTS WITH WHAT HAD ALREADY BEEN TAUGHT ABOUT THE LAW, AND WHAT IT DOES IN OUR LIVES. ALSO WHAT IT DOES IN THE SPIRIT. ALL THE SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENTS THAT TAKE PLACE IN OUR JOURNEY TOWARD PURITY. PAUL SAYS, IF WE BEAR THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT OF LOVE, WE ARE ACTING IN HARMONY WITH THE LAW OF GOD, NOT AGAINST IT.
WHEN IT COMES TO THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT, IT’S NOT AN ACCIDENT THAT PAUL BEGINS WITH LOVE. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE LOVE, YOU CANNOT HAVE ANY OF THE OTHER FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT. ALL THE OTHER FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT, FLOW FROM LOVE.
STARTING WITH VERSE ONE, HE TELLS US TO STAND FAST THEREFORE IN THE LIBERTY WHERE WITH CHRIST HAS MADE US FREE. HE SAYS, AND BE NOT ENTANGLED AGAIN WITH THE YOKE OF BONDAGE. BEHOLD, I PAUL SAY UNTO YOU, THAT IF YOU BE CIRCUMCISED, CHRIST SHALL PROFIT YOU NOTHING. HE SAYS, FOR I TESTIFY AGAIN TO EVERY MAN THAT IS CIRCUMCISED, THAT HE IS A DEBTOR TO DO THE WHOLE LAW. CHRIST IS BECOME OF NO EFFECT UNTO YOU, WHOSOEVER OF YOU ARE JUSTIFIED BY THE LAW YOU ARE FALLEN FROM GRACE. HE SAYS, FOR WE THROUGH THE SPIRIT WAIT FOR THE HOPE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, BY FAITH.
FOR IN JESUS CHRIST NEITHER CIRCUMSICION AVAILS ANYTHING, NOR UNCIRCUMCISION, BUT FAITH, FAITH WHICH WORKS BY LOVE. IN THESE PASSAGES PAUL REMINDS THE GALATIANS OF THEIR CONFIDENCE. HE REMINDS THEM TO BE COMPLETE IN THEIR SACRIFICE FOR JESUS CHRIST. HE TELLS THEM OF THE PLIGHT. THE PLIGHT THEY COULD FACE WHEN TURNING FROM THEIR CONFIDENCE IN JESUS. HE TELLS THEM THOSE WHO RETURN TO THE LAW FOR JUSTIFICATION HAVE PLACED THEMSELVES UNDER OBLIGATION TO KEEP THE LAW. THEY HAVE TAKEN UP A BURDEN OF PERFECTION THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ACHIEVE.
GOD’S GRACE IS SUFFICIENT. UNLIKE THE POP ARTIST, PAUL DOESN’T SAY LOVE IS JUST A SECOND HAND EMOTION. BEING INSPIRED BY THE LOVE OF GOD, THE BELOVED APOSTLE TELLS US THAT LOVE IS THE FIRST FRUIT, OF FAITH. PAUL SAID, EVEN THOUGH WE’RE SAVED BY FAITH, LOVE IS THE BASIS. LOVE IS THE BASIS, AND FOUNDATION, OF OUR FAITH. HE SAYS, LOVE IS AN ESSENTIAL PART, AND KEY INGREDIENT OF BECOMING A REAL, BORN AGAIN CHRISTIAN. HE’S TELLING US THAT LOVE IS GREATER THAN FAITH. BECAUSE OUR FAITH FINDS IT’S FOUNDATION, ON GOD’S LOVE.
THE BELOVED APOSTLE UNDERSTOOD WHAT LOVE WAS ALL ABOUT. HE UNDERSTOOD IT IN THE WAY GOD TREATED HIM. IN WRITING TO TIMOTHY, HIS YOUNG BROTHER IN THE FAITH, PAUL SAID, EVEN THOUGH I WAS ONCE A BLASHEMER, AND PERSECUTOR, AND VIOLENT MAN. HE SAID, I WAS SHOWN MERCY, ABUNDANTLY. HE SAID I WAS SHOWN MERCY, ABUNDANTLY, ALONG WITH FAITH, AND LOVE, THAT ARE IN CHRIST JESUS.
IN VERSE 7 OF GALATIONS 5 IT SAYS, YOU DID RUN WELL. WHO DID HINDER YOU THAT YOU SHOULD NOT OBEY THE TRUTH? THIS PERSUASION COMES NOT OF HIM THAT CALLS YOU. A LITTLE LEAVEN LEAVENS THE WHOLE LUMP. I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN YOU THROUGH THE LORD, THAT YOU WILL BE NONE OTHERWISE MINDED, BUT HE THAT TROUBLES YOU SHALL BEAR HIS JUDGMENT, WHOSOEVER HE BE. AND I BRETHREN, IF I YET PREACH CIRCUMCISION, WHO DO I YET SUFFER PERSECUTION? THEN IS THE OFFENSE OF THE CROSS CEASED. I WOULD THEY WERE EVEN CUT OFF WHICH TROUBLE YOU. PAUL SAYS, BRETHREN YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED UNTO LIBERTY, ONLY USE NOT LIBERTY FOR AN OCCASION TO THE FLESH, BUT BY LOVE SERVE ONE ANOTHER. FOR ALL THE LAW IS FULFILLED IN ONE WORD, EVEN IN THIS, THOU SHALL LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF.
WE MUST STAND FIRM AGAINST ALL THE ODDS. IN JOHN CHAPTER 15 VERSE 18, JESUS TELLS US NOT TO BE SURPRISED IF THE WORLD HATES YOU. HE SAID, BE NOT SURPRISED, BECAUSE THGE WORLD HATED HIM FIRST. YOU CAN BE ASSURED, THAT GOD’S EYE IS VERY LARGE. HIS EYE IS VERY LARGE, AND HE TAKES NOTE OF ALL THE PERSECUTION TOWARD HIS CHILDREN. HE TAKES NOTE, AND GOD WILL HOLD THE PERSECUTOR ACCOUNTABLE FOR EVERY EVIL ACT. WITHOUT THE BLOOD OF JESUS COVERING YOUR SINS YOU DO NOT HAVE INFLUENCE WITH GOD.
JESUS WILL SOMEDAY, AND I HOPE VERY SOON BALANCE THE SCALES OF JUSTICE, BECAUSE HE’S A RIGHTEOUS JUDGE. HE TELLS US, WE WILL BE PERSECUTED, BUT NOT FORSAKEN. HE TELLS US WE WILL BE CAST DOWN, BUT NOT DESTROYED.
YOU CAN BE ASSURED THAT GOD WILL VINDICATE EVERY TRUE BELIEVER WHO STANDS FAITHFUL. THOSE WHO STAND FAITHFUL, IN THE FACE OF THE ENEMY. WHEN A BROTHER OR SISTER IN CHRIST IS PERSECUTED, THE ENTIRE CHURCH BECOMES AFFECTED. THE BELOVED APOSTLE PAUL TELLS US IN 1 CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 12 VERSE 25. HE TELLS US THERE SHOULD BE NO SCHISM IN THE BODY, BUT THAT THE MEMBERS SHOULD HAVE THE SAME CARE ONE FOR ANOTHER. HE SAYS, AND WHETHER ONE MEMBER SUFFER, ALL THE MEMBERS SUFFER WITH IT, OR ONE MEMBER BE HONORED, ALL THE MEMBERS REJOICE WITH IT. HE SAYS, NOW YOU ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST, AND MEMBERS IN PARTICULAR.
WHEN THE CHURCH BECOMES SO DIVIDED AND CORRUPTED, THAT IT WILL NOT STAND UP FOR ITS OWN. THE ENTIRE BODY WILL SUFFER. ASK YOURSELF THIS QUESTION. ASK YOUSELF. AM I GUILTY OF FAILING TO STAND IN THE GAP? AM I GUILTY OF FAILING TO STAND IN THE GAP BECAUSE I’M A DIFFERENT COLOR? AM I GUILTY OF STANDING IN THE GAP BECAUSE THEY GO TO A DIFFERENT CHURCH? AM I GUILTY OF STANDING IN THE GAP BECAUSE I DON’T LIKE THAT PERSON? AM I GUILTY OF STANDING IN THE GAP BECAUSE I THINK I’M BETTER THAN SOMEONE ELSE?
THESE ARE SERIOUS QUESTIONS THAT NEED AN ANSWER. THE CHURCH IS IN A VERY WEAK POSITION, BECAUSE CHISTIANS NEED TO HAVE MORE LOVE. ONLY THEN WILL YOU SEE TRUE REVIVAL IN THE CHURCH.
IN VERSE 16 PAUL SAYS, TO WALK IN THE SPIRIT. HE SAYS TO WALK IN THE SPIRIT, AND YOU SHALL NOT FULFILL THE LUST OF THE FLESH. FOR THE FLESH LUSTETH AGAINST THE SPIRIT, AND THE SPIRIT AGAINST THE FLESH, AND THESE ARE CONTRARY THE ONE TO THE OTHER, SO THAT YOU CANNOT DO THE THINGS THAT YOU WOULD. HE SAYS, BUT IF YOU BE LED OF THE SPIRIT, YOU ARE NOT UNDER THE LAW.
IN VERSE 22 HE BRINGS IT ALL HOME. HE DESCRIBES IT LIKE THIS. HE SAYS, BUT THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS LOVE. HE SAYS, IT’S LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONG SUFFERING, GENTLENESS, GOODNESS, FAITH, MEEKNESS, TEMPERANCE, AGAINST SUCH THERE IS, THERE IS NO LAW. PAUL SAYS, THEY THAT ARE CHRIST’S HAVE CRUCIFIED THE FLESH WITH THE AFFECTIONS AND LUSTS. HE SAYS, IF WE LIVE IN THE SPIRIT, LET US ALSO WALK IN THE SPIRIT. LET US NOT BE DESIROUS OF VAIN GLORY, PROVOKING ONE ANOTHER, ENVYING ONE ANOTHER.
IF YOU REALLY, AND TRULY WANT TO GIVE YOUR LIFE TO CHRIST. YOU MUST GIVE HIM YOUR LOVE. IF YOU REALLY AND TRULY LOVE JESUS WITH ALL YOUR HEART, MIND, BODY. AND SOUL, YOU WILL LOVE OTHERS, AS WELL. LOVE IS NOT AN AFTER THOUGHT. LOVE IS A PRIORITY OF LIFE. IN GOD’S REALITY WORLD, LOVE MUST BE DEMONSTRATED. IT MUST BE DEMONSTRATED, ACTED UPON, AND LIVED OUT. IT MUST BE LIVED OUT, OR IT DOESN’T COUNT FOR ANYTHING.
SO, I DECLARE UNTO YOU TO SEARCH YOUR HEART, AND ASK YOURSELF WHY NOT? WHY NOT MORE LOVE?
WE WANT TO SAY THAT I REALLY DON’T KNOW WHO THIS MESSAGE MAY HAVE BEEN FOR, BECAUSE I CAN’T SEE THROUGH YOUR HEART, BUT GOD CAN. MY PRAYER IS THAT THE WORD OF GOD HAS CONVICTED SOMEBODY’S HEART. REPENTANCE SHOULD BE OUR DAILY CONCERN. AGAIN I ASK YOU TO SEARCH YOUR HEART. IF YOU HAVEN’T BEEN BORN AGAIN. IF YOU HAVEN’T ACCEPTED JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR PERSONAL LORD AND SAVIOR, NOW IS THE TIME. TODAY IS THE DAY OF SALVATION. TOMORROW MAY BE TOO LATE.
BISHOP CORNELIUS DUNCAN
JESUS CHRIST CHAPEL WORLDWIDE MINISTRIES
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