Category Archives: seeking understanding

Love for us

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John‬ ‭15:13‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

Unconditional love for us. Steadfast love for us. God’s love for us.

You are loved. Celebrate his LOVE for you! Cultivate your love for him.

Earlier we looked at Romans 5:1 and what we learn about God making peace with us.

At the end of that brief section, Paul concludes the thought with these words.

“…and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans‬ ‭5:5‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

Talk about an Advent present! How gracious our God to give us peace, hope and love?

Soli Deo Gloria

Jesus came in love, because of love and made his love accessible to all. He told his listeners to love God, love your neighbor, one another, and to love our enemies.

During Advent it would be a good practice to pause and identify those you might avoid for whatever reason. Let’s consider beginning to pray for that person right now. Here’s a sample prayer:

“Lord, I ask you to bless _________ and to help them in every way. May they know and love you. May I love them, by your working in me. In Jesus name, Amen.“

Try it for a month. Perhaps God will change your heart.

This week we will consider the third advent theme of love. There are few better places to begin than Jesus own words:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

In this season of Advent, and every season, remember dear reader, YOU are loved by God. A great sacrificial, unconditional love.

The psalmist writes at a time when there was an understanding of the shortcomings of men, but only the promise of peace with God.

“Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice,” Psalm‬ ‭49:7-8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

No man was worthy to ransom another. Until God carried out his great plan…

Again from Paul’s letter to Colossae…

“For in him [Jesus] all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” (Colossians‬ ‭1:19-20‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

Let’s remember that the love of God for his estranged children was so great that he was willing to pay the price himself. Only he could pay that price. For the price require a sinless life. This Jesus did. To make peace.

Oh how great is the love of God for us that he would make peace with us and welcome us to his throne of Grace. As the psalmist says elsewhere:

“O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.” (Psalm‬ ‭59:17‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

We read in Is. 9.6 about the Prince of Peace. One of Paul’s letters was written to encourage people living in a time of confusion, threat and discouragement. (Sound familiar? Yeah, I thought so.)

Paul’s answer to the struggles of the people of Colossae was this: Jesus brings peace, set your mind on him.

In that letter, in the first chapter, there is what we think is an early song. It is found in verses 15-20. The last two verses, what feels like the third stanza to me if I think of it as a song, are these wonderful words:

“For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” (Colossians‬ ‭1:19-20‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

Later, the apostle goes on to help us see what to do:

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians‬ ‭3:2‬ ‭ESV‬‬) In context, the previous verse reminds of that Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father (Cf. Mark 16:19) advocating for us (Cf. Isaiah 59:16, Romans 8:34).

So, as we reflect on the already – not yet, let us set our minds – through the disciplines – on Jesus, the bringer of peace, the Prince of Peace.