"In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." I John 4:10
If love is what makes the world go around, then let it speed up a lot! Especially the special love Jesus gives. Angry groups clash across our world and many bleed. News commentators add opinionated arguments to the conflict. At times their discussions infer religion is the cause of our problems. Sometimes that may be true, but not always. It should never be said what Christians believe breeds hate and conflict in their hearts against others.
That is exactly the opposite of our heavenly Father's intentions when he sent his Son to the cross. Love is what makes Christianity more than a religion.
Christianity cannot be defined simply as a religion. It is personal love relationship of the deepest and highest affections between God and a sinner. It is an amazing divine love affair, initiated by God who first loved us. God's love catches fire and burns deep into a personality, to evict all conflicting loyalties, to purify all remaining affections within the soul. It changes us and it can change the world around us.
The love-relationship is activated when one surrenders to God's Son, Jesus Christ, as Savior. The degree of love we have for God should reveal a similar degree of care and concern for others.
WE LOVE HIM, BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US and gave Himself to die in our place upon the cross. He took our sins and bore the judgment for our sin as the Lamb of God. May we share a place in our hearts with those who need God's love. May our love for Jesus grow each day. Allow his love to change us on a daily basis. Let the changes his love makes in us show in our daily relationships and alter our behavior. Let's be willing to take another's burden, rather than another's life.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, my heart cannot comprehend it, but I know your love continues to change me. I love you, Lord. I humbly desire to serve you with all my heart and soul. I long to live in a way that will cause others to know your transformational love. In Jesus' Name. Amen.