Welcome to Hank’s Place in 2022
Last week I shared Escape2Reality’s GRACE-full description of New Covenant living. The revelation that the Bible is not a “rule book” by which we find approval before God. Instead, by simply LOVING our wives, Jesus, the brethren, we find we are keeping ‘the rules’ – without effort.
Now, in John 13:34 Jesus said, “I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” “A new commandment.” The Greek word used here implies freshness, the opposite of outworn. Doesn’t mean recent or different. It isn’t that this commandment was just invented, but it is presented in a new, fresh way. Old: seen as impossible rules – New: simply love.
Well, not simply, because Jesus said “as I have loved you,” and we cannot love others as He has loved us: impossible in our strength – we need supernatural help, and that is the love of God in us. 1 John 4:19, “We love, because He first loved us.” So then, there is this amazing love of God that is ours to experience and to share with others.
There’s an old 70’s song by Kurt Kaiser, “Oh How He Loves You and Me.” One line says, “He gave His Son, what more could He give.” Don’t you see His love for you? Don’t fear rejection, my friend; open up and RECEIVE His marvelous love – only then can we love as He loved us. But we might MISS IT!
Jude admonishes in verse 20, to build ourselves up in our most holy faith and keep ourselves in the love of God. Faith – in God, and keeping ourselves in His love. How could we mess that up? Well, it’s pretty easy in a world filled with devils!
If we fall prey to doubt, fears of rejection, judgment by God, well, we could stop receiving His love. And it is His perfect love that drives out fear, 1 John 4:18. Easy to do when devilish lies come blasting at us. If we listen, faith evaporates; we stop keeping ourselves in His love, and life becomes tough sledding.
Something like living on the dark side of the moon. The sun is always out there, always shining, but we are never in a position to receive its light or warmth. Like the Prodigal Son of Luke 15, who was always loved by the father, but for a time he did not benefit from that love.
So, keep in faith. Keep yourself in the love of God. You know what? Soon you’ll be loving like Jesus, and those you touch — will COME ALIVE!
NEXT TIME I’ll share Hank and Mary’s experiences with keeping ourselves in the love of God. Don’t miss it!
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