“…the love God is toward His Spirit-born children. ‘Much
more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath
through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the
death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life’
(Rom. 5:9-10); ‘Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it’ (Eph.
5:25). He loves His own even though they are wandering away, as is revealed in
the return of the ‘prodigal son.’ ‘If we love one another, God dwelleth in us,
and His love perfected in us.’ (1 John 4:12). By this divine compassion the
Christian proves his reality before the world: ‘A new commandment I give unto
you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one
another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, of ye have love
one to another.’ (John 13:34-35). He That is Spiritual, L. S. Chafer.
After reading this section from Chafer’s book, I can’t help
but be moved by the parting paragraphs about the love we are supposed to show
to the world. Jesus told us that when His love dwells in us it shows our
genuine conversion when it is perfected in us. This comes through loving those
around us.
I have said in the past few years what I have dreamed of
about in this world. I used to be a fairly self-centered person who didn’t care
about the needs of others around me. I was self-centered. However, as I
continue to read the Scriptures and see the love and grace of God abound in my
life, I couldn’t help but think of those who aren’t blessed with all I have
been given in this world. In my former days, I attributed my “things” which I accumulated over the
years due to hard work and doing what it took to get those things. Don’t get me
wrong, there is still something to be said for this area as well, but let’s
face it, some do not have the “things”
we do. As I have encountered the Scriptures in my personal growth, I often
think how much better the world would be off if we were able to bless others
with things we have been given by the Lord. I think of how our country would be
so much better off if people were not so self-centered (as I have been over the
years). I think of how the country would never need public assistance programs
for the communities if the church began to act upon the principles mentioned
above. Think of the families who would never be hungry or do without if someone
with a generous heart was around and willing to bless them. I think of how
companies like, eBay, Craigslist, and others would probably go out of business.
There is a secret which I never learned until I had to get
beyond myself. When we give, we unlock a portion of ourselves which God created
into us from creation. It is the power to bless others. When we give it unlocks
an unspeakable joy. This is a joy which no tangible thing can compare. It is
what we were created to do; and when we do it unlocks a joy and a peace which
can only come from God. Then again, I think of God who redeemed us, and made us
His children. He (Our Father) was generous enough to us to send His Son to this
earth to give us an unspeakable gift; our salvation and adoption! Think of how
joyous the Father after He sent His Son to redeem all those who never could be with Him (because of their sin) or wandered
away from Himself (like the prodigal) over the years. What a Generous Heart He
Has!
Today, consider doing something nice and generous from your
heart for your fellow man. You will unlock an unspeakable joy when you do so.
And by the way, it feels good to be obedient to God and it is infectious!
No comments:
Post a Comment