With The Whole Heart

The Whole Hearted Life

“Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea,

I shall observe it with my whole heart.”

Psalm 119:34, KJV

The law kept with the whole heart not only obeys it, but does so, believing the worth of the law.

• The whole heart genuinely trusts the one making the law.
• A heart wholly devoted to the Lord rests in peace.
• Anything less than the whole results in uncertainty and eventually falters.

“And if a house be divided against itself,

that house cannot stand”—

nor can a heart.

(Scripture from Mark 3:25, KJV; The last four words are my thought.)

A divided heart is motivated by half an effort, half a conviction, and half the passion. It  ends in an empty result.

• A work done half-heartedly … Is a work not done.
• A word spoken half-heartedly … Should remain unspoken.
• A half-hearted love … is no love at all.

The Lord commands and deserves our whole hearted service.

“Now therefore fear the LORD,

and serve him in sincerity and in truth:

and put away the gods which your fathers

served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt;

and serve ye the LORD.

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD,

choose you this day whom ye will serve,

whether the gods which your fathers served  …

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.”

Joshua 24:14, 15, KJV

The whole heart serves the Lord—

• in sincerity and in truth;
• and the Lord alone, no others.
• He fills the heart with all that fills his heart;
• with a committed choice.

When Joshua presented Israel with the two choices, the people vowed to serve the Lord and him alone. But when they watched their neighbors, their hearts became divided. They spoke before searching their hearts. They spoke out of emotion not a heart wholly given to the Lord. Joshua told them as much. (See Joshua 24:14-28)

The whole hearted servant of the Lord speaks from the heart not just the lips.

“Be not rash with thy mouth,

and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God:

for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth:

therefore let thy words be few…

Better is it that thou shouldest not vow,

than that thou shouldest vow and not pay …

THIS PEOPLE DRAWETH NIGH UNTO ME WITH THEIR MOUTH,

AND HONOURETH ME WITH THEIR LIPS;

BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR FROM ME.”  

Ecclesiastes 5:2,5;Matthew 15:8, KJV

The Lord does not accept a half-hearted work, a half-hearted commitment, nor a half-hearted love. We are:

• to offer our— “bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1b, KJV
• to heed Jesus’s words— “THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL THY HEART, AND WITH ALL THY SOUL, AND WITH ALL THY MIND.” Matthew 22:37, KJV

Salvation, justification, sanctification, glorification is a whole hearted work of the living Word of God born our of his whole hearted love for us.

“We love him, because he first loved us.”

1 John 4:19, KJV

It’s time to praise the Lord with our sacrifice of praise offered from a heart wholly devoted to him in love.

“I will praise thee, O LORD,

with my whole heart;

I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.

I will be glad and rejoice in thee:

I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.”

Psalm 9: 1-2, KJV

 There really is no half a heart. Let’s make our choice—all or nothing. Which will it be?

Advertisement

The Greatest of These

The Greatest of These

“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three;

but the greatest of these is love.”

 1 Corinthians 13:13, NKJ

“For God so loved the world …

“God commendeth his love toward us,

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us … 

All we like sheep have gone astray,

we have turned every one to his own way; 

and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

Romans 5:8; Isaiah 53:6, KJV

that he gave his only begotten Son …

“And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest overshadow thee:

therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee

shall be called the Son of God … Luke 1:35

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:22

picture courtesy of Pintrest

“Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost …

Now when the centurion, and they that were with him,

watching Jesus,

saw the earthquake, and those things that were done,

they feared greatly, saying,

Truly this was the Son of God … “

Matthew 27:50, 54

That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life …

“And the angel said unto them,

Fear not: for, behold,

I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David

a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord ,,, 

“For the Son of man is come

to seek and to save that which was lost …

 For God sent not his Son into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him might be saved.”

Luke 2:11; 19:10; John 3:17

And the greatest of these is love—

“Behold, what manner of love

the Father hath bestowed upon us,

that we should be called the sons of God … 

But as many as received him,

to them gave he power to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man, but of God.”

1John 3:1,a; John 1:12-13

“There is no fear in love;

but perfect love casteth out fear:

because fear hath torment.

He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

We love him, because he first loved us …

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them;

for they know not what they do .”

1 John 4:18-19; Luke 23:34,a

May you and yours know the Christ who loves you, gave himself for you, and desires to dwell in your hearts. May you think again on this old, old story of Christ’s love and have renewed knowledge in the depth, height, length and width of his incomprehensible love for you, and be filled with all the fulness of God.*

May the gifts of faith, hope, and love fill you hearts and minds this Christmas and throughout the coming year.

Merry Christmas from Our House to Yours

---

*(My paraphrase from Ephesians 3:17-19)

Where Are You?

Where Are You?

“As the deer pants for the water brooks,

So my soul pants for Thee, O God.

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God;

When shall I come and appear before God?

My tears have been my food day and night,

While they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”

Psalm 42:1-3, NASB

I’m amazed at Job’s lamenting. From a human standpoint, wouldn’t our first desire be for the Lord to restore our losses, raise our children out of the grave, and heal our bodies?

We saw at the end of chapter one, Job did not cling to the temporary things of this world, including the relationships we enjoy in this life. All this, God gave him. He accepted it all was God’s to take.

While his tears flowed day and night, while his poor comforters badgered him, the one thing Job desired most was to know where he could find God. He could face all this if only God would speak to him, be near him. He cries out in chapter twenty-three.

“Oh that I knew where I might find Him,

That I might come to His seat …

Behold, I go forward but He is not there,

And backward, but I cannot perceive Him;

When He acts on the left, I cannot behold, Him;

He turns on the right, I cannot see Him.”

(3,8-9) NASB

I pulled a pan from the kitchen cabinet. SLAM! Nothing. No one paid me any mind. The television blared. SLAM! The second cabinet door pleaded angrily for attention as another pan clanged against the first. Nothing. No one saw my pain. Not even God.

After turning the stove down low, I escaped to the open field behind our house. “Where are you, God? Why didn’t you prepare me?” It seemed like my spirit hovered above me as my flesh lost control. The Lord had taken my granny, my friend, my sewing teacher, my biggest fan.

Angry tears streaked down my face. No answer. I flopped on the ground as I glared up at the heavens. No answer. I wiped my face with the tail of my t-shirt. I had to finish supper. I needed to hear from God.

I didn’t have to wait or suffer grief like Job did, yet, the pain filled my heart with grief’s anger I couldn’t control. I laid my head on my pillow and prayed, “Father, help me. Please, just help me know you are near.” I stared at the ceiling until my eyes finally shut—for a short time.

I woke and walked to the bathroom. My breathing relaxed. The weariness didn’t weigh down my shoulders. I glanced in the mirror. Serenity washed over my face. Peace filled my heart. God satisfied my thirst with himself. He had given me grace and took my grief.

“And He has said to me,

“My grace is sufficient for you … “

2 Corinthians 12:9a; NASB

My Father knew my heart, my pain, and he rescued me, with no scolding—just love and grace.

Job didn’t know why God allowed his pain any more than I knew why it was time for Granny to be taken home. Our God did not forsake us but spoke through our grief our loss, until we could hear his voice. Job declared—

“He knows the way I take;

When He has tried me,

I shall come forth as gold.”

Job 23:10, NASB

If you wonder how I can compare my pain with Job’s—I’m not. But pain is personal. Our trials are our trials—only God knows how deep they go. Only God can bring good out of our suffering. Whether we feel his nearness or the clouds seem like they are made of stone, we can know God is faithful when his word says,

“Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you …

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord,

and he shall lift you up.”

James 4:8a, 10, KJV

Ours is to trust our God not our feelings. He is near. He satisfies our thirst for him as the water satisfies the thirsty deer.

---

To Consider: What are you thirsting for? Where are you looking? Will it satisfy your thirst?

First Commandment (4): A New Heart

A New Heart

The call came. The family rushed to the hospital. A heart was available. The window of time was critical. My brother-in-law lived much of his life with a weak, dying heart. Without a transplant, he would soon die. To save his life another died, one with a strong healthy heart.

“HEAR, O ISRAEL;

THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD:

AND THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD …

WITH ALL THY HEART …”

(from Mark 12:29,30)

My brother-in-law’s experience gives us a picture of receiving a new spiritual heart—

“For by grace are you saved trough faith;

and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:”

Ephesians 2:8, KJV

The call of God, has gone out. There is a new heart available to replace the one dying from sin’s curse. To remove the cursed heart, a pure heart had to be sacrificed. Only one heart existed that qualified—one heart for all.

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith,

Behold the Lamb of God,

which taketh away the sin of the world…

• Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation:
• even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life …
• That as sin hath reigned unto death,
• even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” John 1:29; Romans 5:17,21

One brought death into the world and Jesus brought back life for all who will receive it. Our spiritual heart transplant came to us—

“with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”

1 Peter 1:19, KJV

One died for all that all might live.

My brother-in-law’s life changed after his transplant. His love for life, for God, and others grew. His new heart gave him a fresh new perspective on living. He made the most of it for fifteen to twenty years. He died seeing his grandchildren. But he died to live forever.

When we receive our new spiritual heart, our lives are also changed forever. We are infused with a new purpose—loving God above all else. This love is made evident through the way we live. God’s word shows us what that life looks like.

• It is a marathon run by every follower of Christ who has gone before us.

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about

with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside every weight,

and the sin which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”

Hebrews 12:1

• This new life is one unencumbered by the cares and worries of this life, for we have one who invites us to—

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you in due time:

Casting all your care upon him:

for he careth for you …

Therefore take no thought, saying,

What shall we eat? Or, What shall we drink?

Or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:)

for your heavenly Father

knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things shall be added unto you.”

(1 Peter 5:6,7; Matthew 31-34, KJV)

• We have been given the Holy Spirit to empower us to say, “no,” to sin.

“But God be thanked,

that ye were the servants of sin,

but ye have obeyed from the heart

that form of doctrine which was delivered you …

But now being made free from sin

and become servants to God,

ye have your fruit unto holiness,

and the end everlasting life.”

Romans 6:17, 22, KJV

Not only do we have others who have patiently run this race, we have the Lord Jesus Christ. He faced every type of trial and temptation we face. He is our ultimate example of a life loving the heavenly Father. He said and did only what the Father put in his heart to do.

Loving God means

• ceasing from self and trusting the love God has for us, even when faced with the hard things of life, including physical death.
•  humbling ourselves, admitting we can’t do this on our own
• relying fully on the love, grace, and strength of our heavenly Father, as Jesus did.
• Jesus in us is our victory or ability to love God the way God loves us. We have Jesus to look to.

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith:

who for the joy that was set before him

endured the cross, despising the shame,

and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:2, KJV

May this be our prayer:

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith;

that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

May be able to comprehend with all saints

what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height:

and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge,

that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”

Ephesians 3:17-19, KJV

And if we want to measure our love for God, here is his test.

“If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother,

he is a liar:

for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen,

how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

And this commandment have we from him,

That he who loveth God love his brother also.”

1John 4:20,21

There is an old song that says, “They will know we are Christians by our love.” It’s true, because we love with the love God has shown us and put into our new hearts. But we will visit this again when we get to the second greatest commandment. Until then, may we keep learning to love God with ALL our heart—and next with all our soul.

What do you think keeps us from surrendering all our new heart to our loving heavenly Father?

A Writer’s Heart: John’s Principles

The Writer’s Heart: Principles From John

The apostle John’s three letters reveals principles authors use to instruct writer’s in their craft. John’s first letter begins by telling the reader he has personal knowledge of his subject. He has heard, seen and touched the “Word of Life—”. This Word was shown to John as he followed Jesus.

• Principle 1: Know your purpose in writing and keep it in the forefront of your mind throughout. This will be the thread that unites the whole of your book or article.
• Principle 2: We write what we know, have witnessed, and experienced. When these characteristics are woven into our writing, whether fiction or nonfiction, our words become real to the reader.

The apostle John carries the label as, the disciple whom Jesus loved. The first time John refers to himself in this way is in his gospel, chapter 13, verse 23. Four more incidents follow the first. When John writes—

“We know love by this,

that He laid down His life for us;

and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

1 John 3:16; NASB

We understand he is well acquainted with his subject. But John not only wants us to trust him as he tells us, “God is love,” he shows us, “He laid down His life for us.” This is love in action.

• Principle 3: Telling and showing play a part in making our words come alive in the reader’s heart. (Use telling sparingly.)
• Principle 4: Don’t be afraid to show your heart.

Next John explains what all this means to the reader when he writes, “we ought to lay down  our lives for the brethren.” He shows us how to use the information in our lives.

“But whoever has the world’s goods,

and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him,

how does the love of God abide in him?

Little children,

let us not love with word or with tongue,

but in deed and truth.

We shall know by this we are of the truth,

and shall assure our heart before Him,”

1 John 3:17,18; NASB

• Principle 5: Give your reader a word, action, or challenge that’s life-changing.
• Principle 6: Leave the reader with a reason to make the change and want more.

For Thought:  On this day that love is celebrated, take a few minutes to read through John’s three letters. What other principles do you find to help you grow as a writer?

What’s Your Answer?

2 Corinthians Overview, Cont’d: What’s Your Answer?

“Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!

Or do you not recognize this about yourselves,

that Jesus Christ is in you—unless in deed you fail the test?”

2 Corinthians 13:5(NASB95)

In Monday’s post, “Test Time!” the question posed for thought concerned what kind of questions you would expect on this test. One question I would ask is, “What does this test cover?” My beliefs? My works? My heart? Or all of the above?

It has to cover more than simple belief for we are told—

“You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.” James 2:19

John’s Gospel uses the word believe over 100 times, which is close to half the times it’s used in the New Testament.* Believing is a vital component in knowing Jesus Christ is in us. Yet, we all can agree the demons are definitely not in Christ nor is He in them. So, what in believing is needed to bring us into the assurance we are in Christ and Christ is in us?

• “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord,
• and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead,

you shall be saved,

• for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness,
• and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” Romans 10:9,10.

Yes, the demons even confessed Jesus to be the Holy One, but not their Lord. They knew and know the facts concerning Jesus, but they are not saved. For their heart, their allegiance is not to Him. Believing with the heart results in righteousness. They are far from righteous.

“He(God the Father) made Him who knew no sin(Jesus Christ)

to be sin on our behalf,

that we might become

the righteousness of God in Him.”

(2 Corinthians 5:21, words in parenthesis added by author for clarification)

And from our heart comes the conviction of truth that leads to salvation.

“for if we live, we live for the Lord,

or if we die, we die for the Lord;

therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.

For to this end Christ died and lived again,

that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.”

Romans 14:8-9.

The demons remain and will remain devoid of what it takes for salvation. For salvation lies in a new heart. One which has been raised from death to life.

“But God, being rich in mercy,

because of His great love with which He loved us,

even when we were dead in our transgressions,

made us alive together with Christ

(by grace you have been saved),

and raised us up with Him,

and seated us with Him in the heavenly places,

in Christ Jesus …”

Ephesians 2:4-6

A heart made pure.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8;

• “Beloved, now we are children of God,
• and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be.
• We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him,
• because we shall see Him just as He is.

And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him

purifies himself, just as He is pure.”

1 John 3:2,3.

How can we know we are in Christ? John writes—

“Little children,

let us not love with word or with tongue,

but in deed and truth.

We shall know by this that we are of the truth,

and shall assure our heart before Him.”

1 John 3:18,19

Returning to the beginning of this post, what is your answer to the question “What does this test cover?” My beliefs? My works? My heart? Or all of the above?  My answer—all of the above with the heart being at the core and summed up in Matthew’s gospel when he writes—

“Jesus said unto him,

THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD

WITH ALL THY HEART,

AND WITH ALL THY SOUL,

AND WITH ALL THY MIND …

THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR AS THYSELF.”

 (Matthew 22:37,39b; KJV)

For Thought: Who owns your heart? The word prove/examine is a word requiring evidence. What’s your evidence?

Our Prayer: Heavenly Father, how great is your love for us that you would give us your Son to die in our place. May we never lose sight of the love that bought our salvation. No matter what the day brings help us remember the cross proves your love, the resurrection proves your faithfulness. May our works be such as comes from a pure heart of  love for you. Amen.

---

*Source: “A Study of Believing and Love in John’s Gospel” by Patrick Sullivan, found at https://collected.jcu.edu

Done In Love

1 Corinthians 16: Let It Be Done In Love

“Be on the alert,

stand firm in the faith,

act like men,

be strong.

Let all that you do be done in love.”

(16:13,14, NASB*)

“Mom? Mom, I need you to wake up.” Mom raised her head, patted my cheek, and smiled. “I’m sorry to wake you but it’s time for your medicine.” I lifted her head enough for her to take her meds.

She smiled again, and lifted her hand to my cheek one last time. “I love you, baby.”

Those were her last true words of endearment to me before she walked with the Lord to her eternal home. They warmed my heart for Mom had dementia and died a couple weeks later. Last words can leave unforgettable marks on a person’s life.

In the last chapter of 1 Corinthians Paul sums up the whole of his letter to a church wrestling with itself and the world. He knew when all else might be forgotten, the last words of his first letter would be remembered as he summed up the letter in so few words.

“Be on the alert … Concerning—

1.Divisions in the body of Christ/the church;

“Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

• that you all agree,
• and there be no divisions among you,
• but you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (1:10)

2. Sin in the body of Christ;

“Or do you not know

• that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?
• Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, or the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
• And such were some of you;
• but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God …
• you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” (6:9-11,20)

3. Traditions ruling the body of Christ;

• “You were bought with a price;
• do not become slaves of men …
• take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak …
• Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim;
• I box in such a way, as not beating the air;
• but I buffet my body and make it my slave,
• lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified
• … each one is given the manifestation of the spirit for the common good …
• If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal …
• Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, especially prophecy …
• let all things be done properly and in an orderly manner.” (7:23; 8:9;9:26,27; 12:7; 13:1; 14:1,40)

4. And the hope of the body of Christ.

• “If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.
• But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.
• For since by a man came death,
• by a man also came the resurrection of the dead.
• For as in Adam all die,
• so also in Christ all shall be made alive … 
• Behold I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep,
• but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet;
• for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable,
• and we shall be changed …
• then will come about the saying that is written, ‘Death is swallowed up in victory’ …
• Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,
• knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” (15:19-22; 51-52,54b, 58)

Paul’s exhortation to the believers:

“Be on the alert,

stand firm in the faith,

act like men, be strong.

Let all that you do be done in love.”

(16;13,14)

Paul’s warning to the unbelieving:

“If anyone does not love the Lord,

let him be accursed.

Maranatha.**” (22)

Paul’s and my blessing and acknowledgment to you:

“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.

My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.”

(23,24)

Mom’s last words to me left me a memory of her love, and another reason to look for the Lord’s return—knowing I’ll see her again, as she said, “riding on her white horse with Jesus.”***

---

For thought: What last words would you want to leave for those you love?

Today’s Scripture Reading: Revelation 22:10-15. Are you among the blessed looking for the Lord’s return or the cursed living outside of the Lord’s blessing?

Our Prayer: May we live with our hearts fixed on things eternal, looking for and working toward your kingdom coming.

---

*All scripture is taken from the NASB. **Maranatha—O Lord come! ***Mom wrote in her journal, if she should die before the Lord’s return she would be among the saints on white horses when He did return.

Love Is?

1 Corinthians 13: Love Is …

“If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels,

but do not have love,

I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”

1 Corinthians 13:1, NASB*

This chapter stands among the most well-known chapters in scripture with The Lord’s Pray and The Shepherd’s Psalm. It’s quoted at weddings, and if the love chapter is practiced, again at anniversaries. Many definitions of love have been offered through these verses, which are less about definition and more about the character of love. The main idea that rises from the sea of words reveals without love, our boat sinks. Or as Paul puts it, without love—

My words are “a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”

My gifts of knowledge, prophecy, and faith reveal “I am nothing.”

My good deeds and sacrifices “profit me nothing.”

Love provides the foundation for a life lived with fulfilled purpose.

As we all know, some people are easier to love than others. Jesus addresses this challenge in Luke 6.

“But I say to you who hear,

• love your enemies,
• do good to those who hate you,
• bless those who curse you,
• pray for those who mistreat you …
• And if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For sinners love those who love them …
• But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return;
• and your reward will be great,
• and you will be sons of the Most High;

for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

(verses 27,28,32,35,36)

Evil stared me in the eye with a smile on his face. My flesh said flee. He wasn’t worth wasting time or effort speaking the words of the gospel to. Clang, clang. My tongue would be only a bell’s clapper. The Spirt of Christ reminded me, someone shared the gospel with me. God wanted to show mercy to this one even as He did to me—and He wanted to show it through me. He wanted this man to know the love He invested in him through the death of His Son. At that moment I learned what love is.

“He who did not spare His own Son,

but delivered Him up for us all,

how will He not also with Him freely give us all things.”

Romans 8:32

Love withholds nothing  needed and is in its power to give. Our heavenly Father is love. He manifested His love for us by giving us His greatest treasure, His Son. While we were His enemies.

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us,

in that while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8

In Romans 5:10, we are called God’s enemies. Yet, love provided our need. Some receive His love. Many more do not acknowledge it to salvation’s end, but still He gives it to all. As the Lord tells his disciples, freely we have received, freely give. The love of Christ in us demands it and accomplishes it even when we face our enemies.

God revealed his love for the man that day and I learned what love is. The man did not receive the gift of God’s love. Within a couple of months, he died while walking down a road toward more evil. Did he call out to God before his last breath? I don’t know. But I do know, God had reached out to him in love. Maybe He did again.

---

For Thought: How do you define love? How do we grow in love?

Scripture for Today: 1 Corinthians 13:4-13; Love never fails. Does it always accomplish its purpose? Did it fail for the man mentioned in today’s post?

Our Prayer: Father, strengthen our spirit through your Holy Spirit’s power in us to love as you love us. May we understand the great dimension of your love through Christ’s love for us and fill us with your fullness. Do this according to your power in us, that others will come to know your love and your glory. May the glory be forever yours.**

---

*all scriptures are from NASB  ** Taken from Ephesians 3:16-21