The Devotional –Measureless and Strong

The Devotional –Measureless and Strong

Comment: Over the last twelve to fourteen days we have looked at God’s love, not only for His children, but also for the world in which He alone created. The events of creation are not “cataclysmic” as in a devastation by some violent act. Creation was and is an expression of God’s attribute of LOVE. The apostle John understood this love of God and he expressed this message in his gospel report and in his two epistles. All of us would do well to study his doctrinal teaching as he shares this thought. “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son, 2 John 1:9. 

Devotional: Someone could be saying. “So what is the doctrine?” “Now the ‘purpose’ of the commandment is LOVE from a pure heart, a good conscience and sincere faith; Paul’s first epistle to Timothy 1:5. There are many verses of scripture that call God’s children to this truth, we would all be wise to search them out. Here are just a few. Matthew 22:36-38; Mark 12:27-31; John 13:34; John 15:12; 1 John 3:23; 1 John 4:21 and 2 John 1:5-6.

John 14:1-4 – The disciples of Jesus Christ have followed Him for the last 3 plus years. He has taught them much about the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom is a kingdom of love, joy and peace. They, including Jesus have developed close relationships. Matthew a tax collector, and the others; fishermen. Bonds of friendship are not easily broken. Yet, in a week their fellowship with the LORD will physically be shattered.

Jesus warns “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” 

Thomas, one of the eleven (Judas had departed) makes an all too familiar comment. “LORD we do not know where You are going and how can we know the way? Jesus answers, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, No one comes to the Father except through Me.” For “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” See the context of John 3:11-21 and John 14:1-6.

The love of God is pure, measureless and strong, yet there are people who by the choice in their own heart refuse to accept God at His Word. The result of this choice is the second death – John 3:36.