June 6, 2023 – Reflection on “God is Love!”

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. John 3:16-17.

      For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God. Romans 5:7-9.

Have you considered that without God, there would be no Love? Love is a many-faceted jewel of our lives on this earth that God created. When I was about eight, I walked down the driveway. Suddenly, an iridescent jewel of a bug appeared. It shimmered. I asked Mom what the name of the bug. She told me. And I went outside again praising God. Since it was June, I was sure God created the bug to celebrate the month of my birth.

Many years later, I pondered the meaning of love. I took my Bible and went to a quiet place and read these verses. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong-doing but rejoices with the truth.

     Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. I Corinthians 13:4-7. I used it as a mirror and realized I had no clue about the essence of Love. I still return to these words that give a description of Love and pray God renews my heart in the way of love.

When we are dressed in God’s Love, we are fully clothed. Many of the descriptions are listed of love are also in the Fruit of the Spirit and only when we walk within the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ will we receive them.

       But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:22-24.

I remember the prayer of Jesus shortly before His crucifixion. Then He said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here and watch with me.” And going a little farther, He fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” Matthew 26:38-39. A commandment from God is a commandment to obey.

      And this is love that we walk according to His commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. 2 John 1:6.

One such commandment is here – Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2.

      For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord, For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9. God’s thinking doesn’t need our help, and when things seem to not go or way, we consider this verse: Those whom I love; I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelation 3:20-22

What does it take to follow God?? Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Colossians 3:12-13.
           Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. Philippians 4:1. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, He may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another. John 15:16-17.
            So many voices beckon us to listen to them all. In blessed silence, I listen for the Lord God’s voice, the Author of Salvation through His Son, Jesus and His Song of Peace, The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty One who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17.

Then I hear this song, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of hearth will grow strangely dim, In the Light of His glory and grace.” (H. Lemmel).

     For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:6-7.

         I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13.