Christian Love

King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Christian Love
Date: Tuesday November 22, 2011
Chapters: Romans 11-13
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-november-22
All Scripture quoted comes from the King James Version.

Hello My Friend,

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.” -John 15:12-20.

Genuine love is a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection toward another, showing affectionate concern for the well-being of others, it's expressing goodwill or kindly feelings toward others without merit. It can be very easy to love people that we get along with, but it becomes a challenge when they cross us or hurt us. We had a luncheon at our church Sunday, people were welcome to come and get refills, but we encouraged them to wait until everyone had gone through before they came back in line. One person, who never shows gratitude or thanks at our functions, comes up with a take home container enough for three people after he went through the line four times, me being one of the servers, said to the other servers , “We do not love because we want to, we love because we are Christian.” Jesus loves everyone, regardless of whether or not we accept Him, He still died for everyone. His affectionate concern for the well-being of others is without merit, meaning He shows His love without expecting anything in return. His ability to show love toward all comes from God, only with God can we get pass the emotions of the heart to love one another as Jesus does.

Since God created the world people have been feuding over who exactly it is that God loves, there was some strife going on in Rome, the Jews and Romans were arguing that they were the only people that God saves. The Jews believed that since they were God's chosen ones only they could get to heaven. Likewise, the Romans believed that since they were Christians only they could get to heaven. First, Paul addresses the Jews, now he is addressing the Romans or Gentiles.

“I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin..For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.” - Romans 11:1,25-32.

Even the Jews had hope in the Savior, known to them as the Messiah, but they rejected Jesus being the promised Messiah, one day, they will receive Him too and those who do will be saved. While it was important for the Jews to reject Christ as it paved the way for Him to be introduced to the Gentile nations, it was equally important to remember that a remnant of Jews would believe in Christ and be saved as well. Salvation is not for the Jew, Arab, or Roman, it's not for the Jewish, Muslim, or Catholic faith, it is for those who believe in Jesus Christ and have received Him. “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. Salvation has nothing to do with religion, it's only about believing in Jesus Christ and regardless of who you are He is the only way to heaven. It is a gift from God, it cannot be earned or bought with anything that we do and it certainly cannot be given to us by any other person. There is only one way to heaven and Christ bought that right with His blood. “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” - I Corinthians 6:20.

You know, it is a good thing that Christ's love for us is not determined by how we treat Him or others after we are saved, if that were the case we'd all be cast away. For the life of me I will never understand how a person can turn their love for someone on and off like a light switch, but we do not have to try and figure that out because Jesus will never turn His love off, and the amazing thing is we do not have to show Him any love in return. Only a God so great can take us as His own simply by saying, “I believe in Your Son” and not expect any love in return. Just imagine the life we would really have if we loved one another as God loves us, no matter how badly we are treated. Paul explains the need for the Christian to live as a Christian at all times.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith...If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” - Romans 12:1-3,18-21.

We are going to have to deal with some ungodly and even ungodly saved people in our lives, whether they are a child, parent, spouse, relative, or co-worker. Our relationship with them cannot alter our relationship with God, no matter who that person is, it is God that we have to answer in the end not them. Over the years I have realized that people who cause you to live in sin don't care about you, all they care about is themselves, and while you live with the guilt, shame, and distress of it all they have forgotten all about you. Getting even makes things worse, so, instead of seeking revenge, seek peace, be cordial and forgiving, then watch God work in yours and their lives.

“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake...The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” - Romans 13:1-5,12-14.

In the seven years that I have been a member of my church I have knocked hundreds of doors, the responses we get are amazing, some receive us happily, some are cordial, but really do not want to talk to us, some ignore us, and once in a while we will get someone who is down right rude. I have come to realize over the years that it's not personal, we have no idea what these people are going through, there is an emotional attachment to how they respond, even if they swear at us or send their dogs out after us (yes, it just happened to me), they are rejecting God not us. To bow down to their level and argue with them is pointless, they are full of bitterness, rage, and pride. However, to pray for them will never return void, God is always with us, He sees and knows everything and will never go back on His promises. “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” -Hebrews 10:35-37.

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Your love for us is just astounding, no one can love us as much as You love us unconditionally. No matter how many times I mess up You never leave nor forsake me. Lord, forgive me for the times I have gotten myself into situations that I could not get myself out of and tried to handle them on my own. I know that Your love and power is strong enough to help me endure and break free from every evil that is trying to wreck my relationship with You. Continue to grow me and teach me to love others unconditionally, as You love me, even those who have treated me badly. Also help me to let go of my pride and humble myself in forgiveness to anyone that I have wronged. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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