Post by Les Brewer on Apr 28, 2012 19:46:18 GMT
WHAT MANNER OF LOVE IS THIS
I’ll try to write an article about love. Over two thousands years ago Jesus came into being through a virgin birth; he lived approximately thirty three years and was crucified according to the word of God for our sins. My bible says that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten that we might be saved through the blood which was shed for the remission of our sins.
We all have something called love, but some are selective about sharing it. We all can continue to walk in the love of God and learn more and more how to share that love without losing our biblical standard or compromising the truths that transform us into the image and likeness of Christ.
I have been fortunate enough to have been immersed into several cultures within several countries for significant periods of time. Those experiences have broadened my mentality, educated me culturally, and changed me forever, they have enhanced my strong faith in God. We are all going through this life at different speeds, facing different circumstances, while living in different localities and we all are faced with different difficulties. The fact of this matter is; my experiences concerning seeing and being immersed into other countries and cultures has expanded my ability to love those that I did not understand, but now do understand and my love has expanded as well.
I have found that I can love someone while not being in agreement with them, even when they stand in stark opposition to me, notwithstanding, I will always define and defend the gospel. However, I am learning more and more to hate sin and love the sinner, hate false religion and love its believer, hate destructive politics but love the politician. Why because every one has a soul, to be like Jesus is to love those whom hate you and use you despitefully. Thank God we have a sure foundation in the love of Christ who came not to condemn the world but; through him the world might be saved.
Brethren love was released in the most special way when The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, who when the time appointed that he should be baptized and crowned the Messiah in the Jordan, a release of love was put into motion. A voice of confirmation from heaven thundered out words for his recognition “ this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased “ “ Hear Him “, and then we see the Holy Spirit descending and lighting upon him empowering him for the ministry of reconciliation which was before him.
O the love of Jesus, O that precious love, the love that brought him to us, empowered by a dove. O the love of Jesus, that pierces heart and soul, O the love of Jesus he brought to make us whole.
Where Jesus went miracles happened, because love has the power to change the hardest heart, the Agape of God marks the worth in us, the salvageable us, the talent in us, the potential in us; yes all the gifts and callings of the new life. He came proclaiming a message of hope and change, to deliver people from the pomp and pain of religiosity. He lived the message by example, he was the living word of faith in action, demonstrating what he was ministering to them. His message, his motion, and his mission never changed even unto the point of enduring patiently the injustice of false accusations then being beaten brutally with a cat of nine tails; and then he endured excruciating agonizing pain before dying upon the cross.
What manner of love does God have to release in comparison to the love which was released on the day our sins were forgiven the day our debt was paid in full. I ask you what new move of the Spirit concerning a release of love could rival that perfectly flawless act of love? I stand before you today declaring to you that many have forsaken the perfecting love which was released that day and have begun to look for love in all the wrong places. But we still have hope if we return to the place of our rebirth, hence the altar of repentance!
My point is that one only has to come to God in sincerity, with remorse for their sins, and receive the love filled grace of God, a pardon for the punishment they have built for themselves sin by sin, here a little there a little and they shall be cleanse from all unrighteousness. We have a foundational and fundamental truth in the gospel of repentance, but even so; one cannot come to God unless the Spirit draws them. The work of the cross cannot be discounted concerning anything that happens in the kingdom, there can be no revival of love unless there is first a revival of repentance. For the ultimate act of love was bestowed upon us at the Cross of Calvary, if one is deplete of the love of Christ as in all instruction concerning reconciliation one must first lay down their gift at the altar; then go to make it right between oneself and the one offended. Then that one may come to present their gift to God at the Altar.
What does that entails concerning the love of Christ, I quote 1st John. “ If we do sin we have an advocate with the Father “ that advocate is Christ. We come to the Father in the name of the Son, then we repent of our reproaches to be reconciled again to Christ, again; falling in love with him and allowing his love to empower us to love our fellow man as we love ourselves. The Agape of God is not the love of man, our love is limited, but the love of Christ is limitless. It is able to transcend us, but still permeate and radiate from us as we allow ourselves to be filled with his agape.
There is a phrase which is used in the interpretation of scripture, “ the plain things are the main things and the main things are the plain things “. There are many foundational and fundamental doctrines which have been abandoned for so-called “ Present Truth “ which has taken root in some individuals and individual groups. But there is no “ Present Truth “ concerning biblical truth which has not already been ratified by the Holy Spirit, then; canonize and finalized for the body of Christ throughout the remainder of the Church Age. We cannot not afford to be deceived with every wind of doctrine which blows through the Kingdom of God by the slight of men. But stand firmly upon the sure foundation of God’s word.
Brethren keep the faith today by renewing your love daily by an intimately relationship with the Lord on a 24/7 basis, and the love with empower your faith to alive, powerful, and active in promoting the Kingdom of God within the kingdoms of men. If you haven’t been to the altar lately, now more than ever is the time to go back to the sure foundation and find full restoration.
Shalom & Agape,
Apostle Ray Ritchie ( Emissary of the Most High God )
