For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
What’s on my mind today? Love! Especially the Love of God… Today what people call love and what I see in the Bible is to me some what different.
There is seen in scripture many types of love that we can draw from. There is:
What I desire for us to focus in on in this post, are none of these loves found in the Bible, but I desire to focus in on that love found in the Bible that comes for God the Father. Most if not all will admit that for the Christian, and even those that do not know Jesus Christ as their savior, that love is the answer. Without love it is impossible to have peace or reconciliation, but with love all things are possible.
I Corinthians 13:4-7 tells us that “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”
In the frame work of these verses, we find God the Father’s heart and mind towards mankind. It was this statement in John 3:16, that brings out to us three things that God the Father’s love is.
From this I desire us to approach God the Father and see all that He has done for mankind
The word “encompass” means to surround, and when we allow God to surround us with His love, we see things in a whole different light. It seems as if things become clearer and if our life gains meaning. We feel whole and complete, when God is allowed to surround us with His love. I sometimes think of God’s love as the warmth of fresh clothes, straight from the dryer.
God’s love comes to us when we seek it. This is why, often times we find our lives in despair, because it is then that humanity reaches for God. We don’t seek it during the good times, but when we are at our lowest. Oh, only if we could learn to seek God’s caring hand in all situations and at all time.
God’s love was extended to us while we were yet lost and without Christ, and God’s love is extended even now to those who know His son. I John 3:1
Notice that God’s love is given to the world. It is not just given to one person, but Christ died for all, and the Father gave the Son so that we might live. Ephesians 2:4&5, tells us that God was, “rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved.)
We have a God who was generous to us. In all that we have done to Him, and when we have turned our back on Him, He was still calling us to come and to be a son or daughter that had purpose. God desires us to have purpose in our life. God desires us to flourish, through His Son, Jesus Christ. Now that is love.
Humans are condemning, God is not. While humans, and yes even Christians can destroy, God’s true masterpiece in all this is they only get destroyed when we take our focus off Him, and put them on the people who desires to destroy, and tear down with their words.
Remember, that you are a masterpiece, in God’s eyes. He desires to use you to be that which nobody else can be. The problem lies in our own weak and despondent flesh. We do not think we can do anything of significance, because of some pass transgression. This is not true.
The problem is for many they will never believe this and for some it is to their own… Condemnation!
God’s love is for everybody, always generous, and can encompass the most vile sinner. There is nothing that you can do, that will take away the love of God from your life. You may retreat into yourself, but God’s love is there. We cannot hide from God. The Scriptures tell us that He is there. Psalm 139:1-24
My name is Shannon Eaton and I am the Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas and I write this because God’s Love has been on my mind and these are…