Love Like God
Profound as it is, love exist only in God. These truthful words, “Anyone who loves another brother or sister is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble,” sting my heart as I recognize the true nature of love. Coming from the first of three Epistles of Johns I can see the essence of love is righteousness. In other words one cannot love and offend God at the same time. In the name of love I have offended God shamefully. I have touched, talked, and looked at “girlfriends” in inappropriate ways. I have used words to manipulate another to surrender to my way instead of God’s way. I have decided to not to say things that needed to be said for the sake of another’s feelings, and the like. All of these are offensive to God and He hates them. All in the name of love, I actually hated people because I failed to help them be like Christ. It’s not love when it lacks inspiration from the Holy Spirit who always leads us toward Christ.
If God judged me according to my record of wrong I would be doomed. Lock in a cell with no key. But Jesus freed me and pleads my case before the Father. I am blessed beyond my understanding. God judges me according to Christ’s record of righteousness. Yet I still live as if my record is stained. As if I needed to prove to God He made a good choice when He chose me. Oh how hard it is to shake off the shame that accompanies my wicked heart. I can never cover them in such a way that would please God. But thank God Jesus covers my sin and God is well pleased with His son. How does one live not believing in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ that covers their shortcomings? There is so much freedom in knowing my sin is already covered versus trying to cover them myself. That’s like the homeless man who refuses to allow Bill Gates buy a home for His family thinking he will be a burden. God is sufficient and wants us to love others the way Jesus loves us.
Heavenly father, I want to love you more. My capacity to love you and others rest in your hands. I need you to work miracles in my life so that I may stop offending you by hating others with my craving for physical pleasure, poor leadership, and desire for attention. Help the words I read this day become living and active in my heart. Use me or kill me. Amen!
Created about 2 years ago
