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Jesus and the Power of God's Love
February 15, 2014

 

 

Last week I wrote about Jesus and Teachings About Providing For Physical Needs.  What many consider as an act of charity begins with an act stemming from God's love, that started with a precious gift from God.

John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

God gave us the gift of His Son, so that believers would have eternal life, and that through him, the world might be saved.  Giving the very life of His Son is what makes possible our opportunity for eternal life, and this is the highest type of love that can be shown.

John 15:12-14
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

Jesus personally understood what it would mean to lay down one's life for his friends.  He used this understanding to teach his disciples to love one another.  There are many ways how we may lay down our life for our friends aside from death.  We can do this by denying ourself for the benefit of others.  Parents will sacrifice for their children.  Friends will come to aid of a friend in need.  What might we do for someone else, especially those who have no one else?  Would we care for them as our child or friend?  It is important for us to know what the answer would be because this scenario is included when pure religion is defined in the Bible.

James 1:27
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

The fatherless and widows were those with no stability in society.  Back when this verse was written, there were no welfare programs in society as there are now.  They had nothing and had access to nothing more, and they relied on others to have their basic needs met.    Similarly, of ourselves we have no access to eternal life, except what we have through Jesus, and this is why it is not only important to read John 3:16-17 as we have, but to read the next few verses.

John 3:18-21
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

We live in a turbulent time where there is much need, and as we live in this time may we all find ways to extend generosity to others in need, especially those who have no access to support.  Helping those in need is one way how we can come into the light. I invite you to join me in this quest.

All verses are from the King James Version.
This site provided by Tom Laign. To all who may believe differently, I also extend peace and love.
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