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Thursday, June 16, 2011

Love: God's Definition vs. The World's Interpretation




1 John 4:8 says, “Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.”  Let’s focus on the “God is love” part.  I’ve been thinking about this “love” concept in today’s World for a while now.  With all the increase and on-going sin and evil, the World is quick to accept and approve sinful things all under the supposed guise of “love” or showing “love.”  After a bible study on the topic and research, it’s clear that the true definition or meaning of love, as defined by it’s creator….GOD, has been completely twisted and reduced in the World’s definition of love.   1 John 5:3 says, “This is love for God, to obey His commands.”  John 15:13 says “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his brother.”  This type of unconditional, sacrificial love is shown in 1 John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  1 John 3:16 says “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.  And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.”  There are so many verses to quote about how God defines love.  If we are to love God’s way, it is to be as unconditional and sacrificial.  Romans 5:8 talks about how Jesus died for us while we were still sinners.  He sacrificed his life for us, out of his love for us in our dying condition so we would not have to spend eternity in hell and separated from God.  He also died for us out of love for his Father, God, as we saw from scripture that to love God is to obey Him.  We all know that the World’s view of love is completely conditional and can be very selfish.  I say all of this because I believe it’s a big deception from Satan to just passively “accept or approve” of someone’s lifestyle, behavior, beliefs, or whatever it may be that has them separated from God, separated from a real relationship with Jesus Christ, and living contrary to His commands.  As Christians, we know that if you die without God’s saving Grace through Faith, then you are condemned in eternal damnation.  We are suppose to grow in our Faith and Wisdom and become Disciples of Christ and help reach the lost!!  As Jesus said in Mark 2:17 “It’s not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”  So it’s great to fellowship and grow with other Christians, but we have to reach out to and help the lost!  If you have a friend, family member, associate, co-worker, etc who you KNOW does not know Jesus Christ or who has completely fallen away from the path, out of true Godly love you should care so much about the well-being of their soul that you do whatever you can to help them find God.  There is no one method or tactic, let God lead you through His Holy Spirit.  You can always do intercessory prayer warfare for them and remember there is great power in your individual testimony and others as well.  I pray this message touches someone and makes them not want to surrender their loved ones or even associates over to Satan and his deceptions.  Learn to separate a person from their sins and love them enough to want to help set their souls free through accepting and living for Christ!  This is something I had to come to learn and understand myself.  Always remember you were once that lost soul too.  May God Bless You and as always feel free to email or comment.  Stay Encouraged!   :-)

P.S. As quoted from Bill Wiese during a speaking engagement regarding what Jesus spoke to him about reaching the lost ‘It is not your job to convict, that is the Holy Spirit’s job.  You are responsible for sharing the message though.

~Sister TruthSeeker