What would you think if I was to say “I love you”? Some people might be offended because of the way they have come to think of what "love" means. Often “love” is thought of as someone taking advantage over another person’s life in order to get personal gain or pleasure. The right word for that is “LUST”, not “love”!
The greatest display of real LOVE was when “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16.) God didn't just say “I love you”, “God demonstrated His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8.) This was God, in His genuine love for us, planning to be able to prosper us (Jeremiah 29:11-13.) and to rescue and save us from certain destruction. (Psalm 40:1-3.)
“Greater love has no-one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” (verse 13.) I am amazed that Jesus laid down His life for a sinner like me, as if I had been His friend! - Now I am His friend!
I have trusted Jesus because He first loved me. (1st John 4:19.) As He Himself said, “You did not choose Me but I chose you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last.” (verse 16.) But how can I, or any true Christian ever hope to produce that beautiful fruit of LOVE as an evidence that we belong to God - the God who is Love? (1st John 4:16.) Jesus promises that whatever you need to make you a fruitful branch pleasing to God will be available to you - “the Father will give you whatever you ask in My name.” (verse 16.)
So God is ready and willing to make you able to produce that fruit of love if that is what you want Him to do for you! (John 15:5)
When a person begins to understand the greatness of Jesus’ love then he or she will surely want to trust and obey Him with all their heart. (Matthew 22:37-39.) Jesus said, “If you obey My commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commands and remain in His love.” (verse 10.) “You are My friends if you do what I command.” (verse 14.) You see, true Christians do not obey Jesus as reluctant servants, but out of love for Him as His "friends".
Is that the way it is with YOU today? Do you truly love Jesus and delight to obey Him? (Psalm 119:9-12.) Or do you find yourself not even interested enough in Jesus to read the Holy Bible to find out what He really said and taught?
Don’t ignore or refuse the great love God has shown towards you as a sinner. He has made it very clear that His Son, Jesus Christ, is the only One who can be our Priest and Saviour. (Hebrews 7:24-27. Acts 4:12.) Trust in Him alone to forgive and save you NOW! (John 1:12-13.) Then you will be able to daily seek God's help to keep Jesus’ command to “love each other”. (verse 17. Ephesians 4:32.)
So it is true that I love you, and that is why I send you this message about Jesus - I want the very best for you, not only in this life but also for eternity; I want that you should become a true friend of Jesus and love and obey Him.
Read Jesus' own words about His love for you in John's Gospel chapter 15, verses 9-17.
John Nixon, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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