Many would aspire to exalt God’s greatness. Yet sadly, they are missing a part of who He Is—“God Is love” (1 Jn. 4:8). Indeed, God’s greatness even is displayed in His love. His is a love that’s like no other. His is a love that is boundless (Rom. 2:11; Jas. 1:17; Lam. 3:22; 1 Cor. 13:8; Ps. 145:9). Just as Scripture so clearly declares it, there is no love that compares to God’s love in Christ Jesus: “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6-8 NKJV) “God is love. By this the love of God is revealed in us: that God has sent his one and only Son into the world so that we may live through him. In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that He loved us and sent His son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:8-10 NET) God’s love is wholly set apart and is demonstrated by His sacrificial atonement—providing not just for our own sins, but for the sins of “the whole world” (1 Jn 2:2). Indeed, there is no love that compares to it, and there is no love that surpasses it. God’s love is unfailing—even “over all His works” (Ps. 145:9). Truly, our God is great—and it is right that we lift up His name. Yet so, in all our doing of it, let us remember to esteem His love. Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts, and . . . declare Your greatness. They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness, . . . The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy. The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works. (Psalms 145:6-9 NKJV) To know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:19 NKJV) Are we yet living as wholly His, or are we living as "enemies of the cross"? Jesus died for us—Jesus gave us His all—and He calls us to follow in the same. Truly, although the way of our salvation is one “not of [our] works” (Eph. 2:9), an exchange from us must first take place. There must be a “coming out of” in order to come into Christ. There must be a decision to change course and to follow (2 Cor. 6:17; Mk. 1:15). Sadly, however, even as the apostle Paul observed, many would live compromised by this world. “For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,” (Philippians 3:18-20 NIV) Indeed, just as our Savior so clearly described it, the path unto His life is a narrow one (Matt. 7:13-14; 16:24). The way of it will surely cost us. “‘For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?’” (Matthew 16:25-26 NKJV) “‘And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, “This man began to build and was not able to finish”? . . . So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.’” (Luke 14:27-30, 33 NKJV) For certain, “the Lord knows those who are His” (2 Tim. 2:19). Nothing is hidden from His sight (Heb. 4:13). So let us take note and be ever watchful—to discern our ways (Prov. 14:12; Gal. 6:7-8; 2 Cor. 13:5; Eph. 5:15). You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:17-18 NKJV) Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. (Colossians 3:2-4 NKJV) Recently, I heard something on the news that caused great disdain to rise up in my heart. Thankfully, in His mercy, the Lord was able to get my attention . . . Let’s not fool ourselves! Even if those relationships are distant and not so personal, whenever we entertain bitterness towards another, the enemy always wins. Truly, when we are passionate about something, anger can rise up towards ones who we feel are opposing it. Passion is good—the Lord delights in our whole-hearts! Yet, we must ever be on guard against that thing we are warned can defile us. The apostle Paul warned: “See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;” (Hebrews 12:15 NASB) Most importantly, however, Jesus issued us the standard: “‘But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.’” (Matthew 5:44-45 NKJV) “‘And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.’” (Mark 11:25-26 NKJV) Surely then, there is no room for bitterness if we profess to follow Christ. Jesus’s walk was, for us, the example—and the standard He set for love is high (Jn. 13:15; 1 Pet. 2:21; 1 Jn. 2:6). He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. People question God’s goodness because of the sufferings they see around them. They ask: If God is so good and if God is so loving, then why would He allow such evil in this world? Why would He let such bad things happen? My answer: Because our relational God, desiring real relationship, has given to us a choice—that we might choose to love Him. Consequently then, in this world we may be touched with sufferings and the consequences of other people’s choices. It is as a result of man's original sin that there are troubles and injustices in this world (Rom. 5:12-19; 8:18-22)! Even so, God still is greater and He must choose to allow things (1 Cor. 10:13), with the promise of His continual oversight to be working things for our good (Rom. 8:28). God’s ways just are higher than ours—and it is there that we must learn to trust Him. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9 NKJV) Moreover, will a man blame God? Should He have to answer to us? Although God loves us so greatly and often graciously chooses to reason with us, still we must be careful and should check what is in our hearts (Is. 45:9-10). The fact is, my God is a loving God who deeply cares about each soul (Ps. 145:8-9). He is touched by our sorrows, and His heart is always for us. This is why He sent us His Son. He sent His Son Jesus to restore unto us LIFE—so that we might have it more abundantly (Jn. 10:10; Jn. 3:16; 2 Pet. 3:9; 1 Tim. 2:4). What’s more, Jesus came to us in the flesh—He was as a man (Phil. 2:6-7)—and in all points He was tried, just as we are. He, therefore, can wholly relate to us and to whatever the challenge we may face. “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15 NKJV) “who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.” (Hebrews 5:7-8 NKJV) “He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:3-5 NKJV So to those of you who may be questioning, know that your questionings are heard. Also know that the LORD loves you, the LORD values you, and Jesus died for you to give you peace. For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8 NKJV) Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:17-21) As many are feeling overwhelmed today—and no one really knows what tomorrow may hold—this is what really matters. What really matters is that we know our Savior. The form of this world will pass away (1 Cor. 7:31). So I am asking you today . . . Do you know your Maker? Do you have, for yourself, an anchor Who Is beyond this world? He has loved you so greatly, and wants to give to you His LIFE. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ [Jesus] died for us.” (Romans 5:8 NKJV) “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16 NKJV) “For there is no distinction . . . for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For ‘whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.’” (Romans 10:12-13 NKJV) This is what is most important for the one who is lacking hope. Call out to Jesus with all your heart—He promises to receive you. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil,” (Hebrews 6:19 NKJV) God is Sovereign—He does what He wants to do. In view of God’s sovereignty, then, do our choices really matter? Do the things that we do really make a difference? And is it really purposeful, today, that we seek the Lord and pray? According to Scripture, the answer is yes—God has not predetermined everything that may happen! Within a rebuke of King Saul, for instance, Samuel clearly confirmed man’s real effect by his words: “. . .You have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which He commanded you. For now the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue.” (1 Samuel 13:13-14 NKJV) Then, even within a reproof toward His people, the Lord established this truth by His words: “‘. . . I did not command them, nor did it come to my mind that they should do this abomination . . . ’” (Jer. 32:35 NKJV). As Scripture makes so very clear, God has chosen to limit Himself and to engage in real relationships with men. (See also the following: Jer. 23:32, Jer. 32:30-35, Jer. 18:7-10, 1 Sam. 13:13-14, Jer. 26:3, and Jon. 3:9-10.) (Note: It is significant that we have a balanced view of God’s sovereignty—there are so many ramifications when we don’t. Because of this, I further recommend to you the book excerpt "The Place of Man's Authority"—as well as the entirety of my book entitled God’s Sovereignty and Our Responsibility: His Heart for All Men. Click here for more information.)
Are we moving in the manner of God’s Spirit? Are we moving in the manner of His love? Evidently, it was very significant to Jesus—in what manner of spirit we are controlled. “And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. But they [the Samaritans] did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, ‘Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?’ But He turned and rebuked them, and said, ‘You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.’ And they went to another village.” (Luke 9:52-56 NKJV) Notedly, Jesus would rebuke His disciples for failing to engage with His heart (1 Cor. 13:4; 2 Pet. 3:9). Might Jesus bring a similar rebuke to some of us as well? Do we know “what manner of spirit” we are of, as we represent God’s heart to the world? Significantly, as believers, we have been given a grand assignment—we are Christ’s ambassadors, entreating the world (2 Cor. 5:14-15, 18-20). So then, have we been entreating in the manner of His Spirit, or have we been entreating in another? Indeed, as Christ’s representatives, we must get this right (1 John 4:8; 1 Cor. 13:1-3). The Spirit of Love should have control over all our interactions, whatever we may do or may say. For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15 NASB) This life is a journey to take us to the other side—and Jesus would be in the boat with us. Indeed, in Christ, we all have a journey He is taking us on. Let’s trust Him until the end. Consider the following account of a journey of Jesus’s disciples: “On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, ‘Let us cross over to the other side.’ Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, ‘Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?’ Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, ‘Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?’ And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, ‘Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!’” (Mark 4:35-41 NKJV) In this life’s journey, there may be many storms. And yet, why should we fret when Jesus is in the boat with us? He is greater than anything He lets touch us (Ps. 103:19; John 10:27-30)—and He has promised to work all things for our good (Rom. 8:28; 1 Pet. 3:13). Why should we fret when Jesus is in the boat with us? If we will commit our way to Him, we will have no need to worry (Ps. 37:5-6; Prov. 3:5-6). He has promised never to leave nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5-6)—He will be with us until the end. ". . . And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20 NKJV) Recently, certain “notables” have publicly renounced their faith. This is so very sad and has caused many of their followers to ask lots of questions. Among many, there are such questionings: Did God predestine them to fall? Or did they ever really know the Lord? Can one lose his salvation—will not God be faithful to keep him until the end? No matter what the questioning may be, over all, let it rightly be known where final responsibilities lie: We must decide to “continue in Him.” We must decide—it is our responsibility. Feeling it very timely, therefore, today I have posted a short excerpt from a chapter found within my book. The excerpt contains concluding statements with regards to the possibility of one’s falling away and what is our real place to continue in Him. For a thorough discussion of the matter, however, I recommend you read the entirety of the chapter entitled “Continuing in the Faith,” from which the excerpt comes. Click here to read the excerpt.
that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:17-19 NKJV) The other day, as I was worshiping and focusing on the sure foundation I have in His love, I felt the Lord speak to me concerning what, sadly, is a lack within many in the church. I felt impressed with the charge: “You do not yet know My heart—My love. If you did, you could not contain it, and you would not hold back from sharing My love with others.” Indeed, it is as we see Him that we are changed into His likeness to become what He has called us to be (1 John. 3:2)—even His ambassadors of love (2 Cor. 5:19-21). “Beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, [we are] transformed into the same image from glory to glory” (2 Cor. 3:18 NKJV). So to whom, then, shall He be likened? And just how great is His heart of love? The Lord Is who He has said He Is—His Word is solid and it is true. “The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy. The LORD is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works.” (Psalms 145:8-9 NKJV) The Lord loves “all His works.” “His compassions fail not” (Lam. 3:22). May our hearts be melted by the greatness of His love. And may we be moved to extend to others His same mercy.
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