October 07, 2002 (28)
THE CHURCH BUILDING ITSELF IN THE LOVE OF GOD. Without love, the church is an institution, cold and without compassion. With love, it becomes a living organism, vigorous, warm and loving. The growth and construction of the church, the body of Christ depends fully upon the Love of the Lord displayed in each and every member. Eph. 4:16
FAITH WORKS. There is not a Christian that does not know that faith works. The very fact that we are < born again > will illustrate dramatically that it < works>. But faith can only be motivated, by love. Love, the love of the Lord, agape love, not human love, is the dynamo and the force of faith. This could well be a key to those times when it seems difficult to receive a response to our prayers. Gal. 5:6c
THE LAW FULFILLED IN ONE WORD. That one word is LOVE. A love for our neighbor, that is equal to the love that we have for ourselves. Not always an easy task. Love involves loving even the unlovely. Gal. 5:14 This however, is the second commandment. The first, will make the second workable. The first is, < love the Lord thy God > with the total man. The heart, the seat of affections. The soul, the source of all human emotions. The mind, The area of motivation, the ability to activate our thoughts and emotions. Strength, the energy, the capability of accomplishing our objective. Love for the Lord is fruitful and productive in our lives. It is absolutely the number one priority. All else in the spiritual work and realm depend upon the motivation of love. Mk. 12:30
THE CONSUMMATION OF THE COMMANDMENT. Is dependent on the condition of the heart. It must be a clean, untarnished heart produces confidence and assurance. Even boldness to approach the throne of the Lord. There can be no ulterior motives. A pure heart is most desirable to the Lord. A conscience void of offense toward God and man, is also a divine requirement. A good conscience is the result of doing the will of the Lord in every aspect, living according to the Word of the Lord. Embracing the <faith> in all sincerity, without dissimulation. 1 Tim. 1:5
CHOSEN IN HIM. Chosen, not of race or because of who we are or were to become, but IN HIM. The Lord has called ALL. But only those responding become HIS CHOSEN. This He knew from before the foundation of the world. He could not be God without this divine foreknowledge. We were chosen by His Love to partake of and live in His Love. The materialization of that love will generate conditions in the life of the Chosen that is not seen in the unsaved. Namely, they will be holy, righteous and pure. Blameless, without fault or reproach of any kind, in spirit, soul or body. Love brings certain demands into our lives. Consideration must now be given to the one loved. Their desires and requirements must be placed even before our own. Especially with the Lord. Placing Him first and uppermost in our response of love to Him will reap great dividends. His reactions to our outpouring of Love toward Him are tremendous and deeply satisfying. Eph. 1:4