How Intense Is Your Love?
Good Morning Friends,
Just because God loves us does not mean he will not judge us. Of course, we want to be ready for Judgement Day. Unfortunately, every time we hear God’s truth and do not affirm it, it makes our coming judgment a little harder. Every time we see God’s power manifested in a believer’s life and do not encourage it, it makes our coming judgment a little more difficult. Friends, we need to understand the nature of God’s power in a relationship that actively seeks a reward and not be delusional or depressed about it. We need to realize that the reality of the coming Judgement Day is to be more like a wedding than a funeral. How Intense Is Your Love?
Scripture: When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. The more I called them, the more they went from me; they kept sacrificing to the Baals, and offering incense to idols. Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them. They shall return to the land of Egypt, and Assyria shall be their king, because they have refused to return to me. The sword rages in their cities, it consumes their oracle-priests, and devours because of their schemes. My people are bent on turning away from me. To the Most High they call, but he does not raise them up at all. How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender. I will not execute my fierce anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and no mortal, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath.
Hosea 11:1-9 (NRSV)
As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for laborers deserve their food. Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. As you enter the house, greet it. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
Matthew 10:7-15 (NRSV)
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, in order to make her holy by cleansing her with the washing of water by the word, so as to present the church to himself in splendor, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind—yes, so that she may be holy and without blemish. In the same way, husbands should love their wives as they do their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hates his own body, but he nourishes and tenderly cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, because we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, and I am applying it to Christ and the church.
Ephesians 5:25-32 (NRSV)
Message: We read in Matthew about it being more bearable for Sodom than in that Day of Judgment for those who reject Jesus. That, of course, means that it will be a harsher judgment for those who are lost and in a sense, those who do not evidence God’s power in their lives and worse yet for those who claim to be religious experts and then fail to honor God. As Christians, we are to be good stewards who manage what belongs to God. But we are also to be married to the relationship. You see, everything that we have ultimately belongs to Jesus and we are responsible to Him for it. We have not been given our time, talents, or money to just go do whatever we want with them. We were “bought at a price” and are expected to serve Christ. The good news of Jesus is much greater than we could have hoped for. It is a great gift to hear how great God’s love is for us. The model for what it means to love can be found in scripture that describes God’s love toward us as a man loves his wife, and as a parent loves his child. But the most vivid expression of God’s love is in the cross. God’s relentless, faithful and enduring love is a model for how we are to live in each of our relationships. So, reflect on the ways and kinds of love people have for each other and the model of love that Jesus shares and know that love for God will translate into love for others. This is a message we are to share. It is about the hope of God’s love not wrath. Friends, when one has seen God’s power, one becomes responsible to use that to increase one’s own faith and share it to increase the faith of others. A friend of mine often uses the word “Hesed” to close his correspondence. I think it describes the relationship we are to have with God. We have been betrothed forever in the lovingkindness of God…a loyal covenant of compassion. Friends, God’s heart is for people not against them. We have been set apart as a bride for God to nurture and cherish and to share the blessings we have received as we collectively experience the very powerful love of God. Jesus modeled this submission to His Father. He was equal in person and essence but willing submitted to and served the Father. That is the nature of our marriage with Christ so that on judgement day in the presence of Jesus we will be cleansed and the best of who we are brought out as we hear the words we should share with our spouses and friends more frequently… “well done”.
Pray we are not crazy. Pray we realize that we are responsible for what has been entrusted to us and that only if it is submitted to the will of God will it be fully developed. Pray we not be afraid. Pray we realize that God is not waiting to condemn us for our present or past, but wants to offer us love and forgiveness so that we can enjoy a glorious future in Him. Pray therefore we see evidence of God’s power in our lives. Pray we have spiritual authority. Pray we see God’s love for mercy. Pray we are ready for judgement not because we have done the best we could, (though we should do that), but because Christ has done a work in us that is worthy of praise. Pray we realize that Godly love is a very powerful thing and can in fact change us…transform us and save us. Pray therefore that we believe in the three great mystical unions in the Bible. Pray we believe in the union of the three persons of the Godhead, being one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Pray we believe in the union of the two natures of Jesus Christ in one person. Pray we believe in the vital union of the believer in Christ all held together in love. Pray we realize that we cannot do this alone.
Blessings,
John Lawson
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