Deeply Loved #2

LOVE DEMONSTRATED

This is how God demonstrated His love to us:  He sent His one and only biological Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love not that we loved God,

But that He loved us and sent His Son 

to turn aside

God's wrath.

1 John 4:9-10 - John

     Growing up in the southeastern part of the United States in the 1950s and 1960s, it was not uncommon to see people seal a deal with just a handshake.  After the handshake,  it was not too long before actions were started by those agreeing parties that proved that the handshake was "good. " Then the people involved were going to do the right thing.  I could hear these "old timers" say things like "Talk is cheap." Or they would also say, "Actions speak louder than words." Demonstrating integrity carried far more weight with a person than just talking about it.

     The same is true about God's love: God's talk was not cheap. God demonstrated His love.  Yes, He promised His love through John years earlier in what we now call John 3:16-17. He told us,  in no uncertain terms,  that He was giving Jesus to truly save us.  And Jesus was here, but nothing making it possible had sealed the "deal;" however, after living a sinless life, Jesus and the Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit demonstrated His love for you and me: God's biological Son (The Holy Bible calls Christ Followers adopted children of God) not only came into the world, but much more happened. He was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities.  His punishment (that He took in our place) brought us peace with God.  Or as our scripture says, He turned aside God's wrath.  He made atonement for our sins; furthermore, "by His stripes we are healed."

     Even better is that He made it possible for  us to more than just muddle through life with a mere existence.  He actually gave us the ability to to genuinely and authentically live! We no longer had to be slaves to sin.  We can now be alive to God. We no longer have to be victims of our past.  We can and are "new creations," and the old stuff has completely gone!  The new has come! No, we are not victims, but victors!  We can bear the fruit of His Holy Spirit! We can have - growing out of our inner being - love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, integrity and self control!  In a nutshell He empowered and empowers us to develop, in God's time, the very character of God!

     What makes this so much more beautiful is that, unlike other world faith groups, Christ Followers did not have to first approach God.  This true love was given even when we did not love God ... even while we "were yet sinners."

     Finally, Christ Followers never again have to fear punishment. And we no longer have to carry around the desire to get back at others to punish them.  God satisfied His own wrath by taking the punishment on Himself and lavishly flooding us with His love mercy and grace. Now He has provided us with -- and provides us with -- His salvation from the Kingdom of Darkness, hell, death and the grave. We are no longer in bondage to sin and death. Now we walk as Kingdom dwellers in the Kingdom of Light. Heaven is our true home, resurrection empowered daily and eternal living is our hope.  Because He lives we can truly live as well.

All this is made possible through the demonstrated love of God.

Why not reach out and by faith shake God's hand.  "Seal your deal" of sharing in God's eternal life forever.

SoJourner