love

This Is Love

/ Gail Johnson / 17 Comments

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13: 34-35 KJV

When thinking about a Valentine’s Day post, I decided to talk about love for one another. After this past year, I think it would be a good idea to review what the Lord’s definition of love truly is by revisiting the Gospels and reading about His love, life, and sacrifice.

How are we to love?

In the above scripture, the Lord states, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

We find His example, “as I have loved you” in the 34th verse.

The world will know we are His disciples if we love one another as He loves us.

Not by knowledge of scripture.

Not by piety.

Not by miracles.

Not by good works.

But by our sacrificial love for one another.

I’m not saying we should turn a blind eye to wrongdoing but conduct ourselves as His children in word and action.

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32 KJV

Winning Others

The disciples were fishers of men. If we are to win others, then we must love and forgive one another as Christ loves and forgives us. Men, women, and children must see a united people (John 17:21) filled with the gifts of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). I don’t know about you, but I do not want to be a noisy nuisance (1 Corinthians 13:1).

May we be true disciples of Him during this month and the months to come!

For God So Loved

/ Gail Johnson / 11 Comments

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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved (John 3:16-17 KJV).

For God So Loved

Webster defines savior as one that saves from danger or destruction; one who brings salvation.

I would say both definitions describe our Savior.

This month we celebrate love. But it’s not the love we have, or should have, for one another I wish to talk about, but the incredible love God has for us!

For God So Loved

According to Paul in his letter to the Romans, God loved us while we were yet sinners.

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8 KJV).

I love that scripture! Many think we must clean up before we show up. We must stop doing this or that before we begin the journey to the cross. Not so. We come as we are, and He does the cleaning. He alone makes it possible for us to become sons and daughters.

However, the choice to become sons and daughters is ours alone. The story in John 4 reminds us that no one can make that decision for us.

And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world (John 4:42 KJV).

As you can see, the Sychar residents made their own decision.

Hope of Salvation

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11 KJV).

Savior: one that saves from danger or destruction; one who brings salvation.

God sent His Son because we needed a Savior to save us from our sins. Through Him, we have hope of eternal life.

I’m so glad I heard the good news of Jesus, and his truth brought me the hope of salvation.

Have you discovered the hope of His salvation? If not, click here to get started.

Click to Tweet: For God So Loved #hope #love @GailJohnson87

What is your favorite scripture on God’s love for us?

Original Photo by Will O on Unsplash