Tag Archives: love

Christian

Love in Action

I previously defined Charity as love in action. That could easily be the same definition for Salvation. Salvation is God’s love in action. It is also our love in action.

In my preceding post, In the Mix,  I compiled a list of actions demanded of us in God’s plan of salvation. For sake of convenience and issues of readability, I did not offer scripture to back up those actions. The following should remedy that situation.

Jesus died teaching us how to follow the Father. John 8:28, John 14:9. Although he is the ultimate sacrifice for our sin (Romans 5:8-11), salvation does require effort on our part (James 1:22, Ecclesiastes 12:13). We have to accept Jesus as Messiah. Acts 8:36-37  We have to repent and be baptized by immersion in water by another in Jesus name (Acts 2:38) or in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:19). Acts 22:16, Mark 16:16. We have to strive to not sin. Hebrews 10:26-27. We have to confess future sins after baptism and forsake them. Proverbs 28:13, 1 John 1:9. We have to confess Jesus (Matthew 10:32-33) and teach others the Gospel (Matthew 28:18-20). We have to remain faithful until death. Revelation 2:10 Finally, as we are blessed, do it all with love. 1 Corinthians 13.

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Christian, Inspirational

The Way You Know

And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. – John 14:4 KJV

Jesus was about to be sacrificed and go to Heaven. Through example he had taught his disciples how to join him there.

So what did Jesus do that we are suppose to imitate and follow? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. – Matthew 5:48 KJV.

Many argue that perfection is impossible. But, would Jesus ask us to do the impossible?  . . . The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. Luke 18:27

So by living with God’s guidance and God’s help we can live as Jesus, following the will of the Heavenly Father. Jesus said in Matthew 12:50 KJV, For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Jesus taught us the Father’s will by demonstrating obedience and walking in love. He being God said, If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15

What are God’s Commandments?

Matthew 22:37-40 KJV
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. [38] This is the first and great commandment. [39] And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. [40] On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

How do we begin to learn to love God and our neighbor? Visit Exodus 20 or Deuteronomy 5. With God’s help you can keep his word and step towards perfection.

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Christian, Inspirational

A Way of Escape

Despite the fact that many Christians hope to escape judgment day and some even claim that all that is left is a dispensation of rewards, the Bible says in Revelation 20:13 KJV … and they were judged every man according to their works.

Matt Crouch, owner of TBN has said several times, “It’s not about what I have or have not done, it’s what He did. ” I do not doubt he heard this in time of distress as he claims, I do doubt it was the voice of God. There will be a judgment day. And all mankind will be judged according to their works (how each man and woman lived their life, what they did or did not do).

There is no magic loophole to be found in the Bible to escape judgment.

2 Corinthians 5:10 KJV tells us, For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

If you hope to have a home in Heaven, Believe in Jesus Christ, Be Baptized, Confess your Wrongs, Don’t Sin, and if you are so blessed, live life with an abundance of Love.

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Christian, Inspirational

The Greatest Thing

The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is to love and be loved in return. – Moulin Rouge

Perhaps you’ve heard many a modern preacher say, there is nothing you can do to make God love you any less and there is nothing you can do to make God love you anymore.

I think the above statement is truly perpetuated by people who don’t understand love. In John 14:15 God said, If you love me keep my commandments.

Love is most often reciprocated to those who have love. It’s a natural response. In fact, James 4:8 says, Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.

In 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 KJV, God tells us how to become closer to him, Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, [18] And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

If you want to be loved by God, love him. Be separate and touch not the unclean thing, sin not and he will literally accept you as his son or daughter.

Jesus added in Matthew 12:50 KJV, For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

In Mark 12:29-30 KJV, Jesus said, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: [30] And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. Jesus continues in Mark 12:31 KJV, And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

God will love you more, if you do what he asks and continue in righteousness. He will even be your family. However, he will love you less, if you decide not to follow him.

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Christian

Confusing Duty with Works

Many proclaim we are not saved by works, but by grace alone. They cite these verses found in Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Does this mean we have no duty to our Master and Saviour? Absolutely not.

We have a duty to respect his sacrifice.

We have a duty to keep the law.

We have a duty to love and act in charity.

Jesus said in Luke 17:10 KJV … when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

My faith tells me duty and works should not be confused with one another. It also makes me wonder; how may I be a profitable servant of Christ.

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Christian, Inspirational

Without Condition

Why do people seek unconditional love? Why do they look for it from others and even expect it from God? Is the answer as simple as what can I get away with in this relationship?

I want love with honesty and trust. I want friends and family that care about me. If they love me, they care what I do. They care how I treat them and others.

Love without condition is either pure desperation or lust without any real emotional connection. It’s not something to hope for or desire.

God places conditions on his love, if you hope to be with him forever. The first condition is John 3:16 – believe. The second condition is John 14:15 – behave.

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Christian

Perfect Love

It is true perfect love casteth out fear, but perfect love is a two way street. God’s love is already perfected. He has met any requirements by giving us his Son as the last and only sacrifice for sin and to show us the way.

What about your love towards God?

Love towards God has some conditions and requirements. Conditions include belief, repentance, and baptism. Requirements include obedience. Jesus said in John 14:15 KJV If ye love me, keep my commandments.

So until you both accept and act in love, fear God.

Matthew 10:28 KJV And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Love is the more excellent way.

The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is to just love and be loved in return.- Moulin Rouge 2001

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Christian

Believe and Behave

I recently came across this post on X:

“If the person who offers you Salvation is the same person who threatens you with punishment and “eternal damnation” that is not Salvation.

That’s extortion!”

I thought about it. I couldn’t come up with a strong argument against it. However, the response that did come to mind was – is it wrong for one person or entity to wield both the carrot and the stick. I think the answer to that is, it depends. It depends on the purpose?

So what is God purpose? What does God expect from men? 

To believe and behave.

That’s a simple and straightforward purpose. Believe in love and act in love. It will make both you and the world a better place.

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Christian

Inescapable Synonyms

In this age of cancel culture, people are trying to redefine biblical words in order to make them undesirable or just weaken their true meaning. Definitions matter. If evil can change fear of the Lord to respect and awe of the Lord and confess your sins to simply acknowledge them the Devil is making serious strides in spreading misinformation and misunderstanding. What’s the truth?

  • Religion is another word for Duty
  • Legalism is another word for Obedience
  • Fear is another word for Terror. Terrible is a correct adjective used to describe God
  • Holy is another word for Righteous
  • Righteous is another word for Obedient
  • Love is another word for Caring
  • Caring is another word for Affection
  • Placing conditions on love and affection is natural and appropriate.

Before you believe those that say this word means such and such according to recent studies of Greek or Hebrew, learn what it means in English. If you have doubts on the meaning of a word check your Dictionary and Thesaurus before they too get changed and a new and so called better version comes out.

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Christian, Inspirational

A Race To Be Won

Have you heard Jesus did it all, it is finished, you don’t need to do anything for your salvation?

Jesus completed his race. He lived an Holy life teaching us to follow him and the Heavenly Father. He was scourged and died on the cross as the final sacrifice for our sins.

What about our race? Do we have to do anything to be cleansed in Jesus’ blood? Do we have to do anything to make it to Heaven?

If you accept Jesus as Messiah, you need to repent and be baptized (submerged in water) in the name of Jesus for the remission or forgiveness of sins in your life till that point. Acts 2:38 After baptism forgiveness of sin can be covered in love and by confession. James 5:20, 1 Peter 4:8, 1 John 1:9.

This is at the heart of the race assigned to us all: Preach the truth to others – Mark 16:15-16, Keep the Commandments – Romans 2:13, John 14:15, Ecclesiastes 12:13, Love one another – John 13:34.

As Paul hoped to finish his race well, 2 Timothy 4:7-8, so do we. Jesus completed his life and work proclaiming, “It is finished”, while on the cross, but our race as we follow him is yet to be won!

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