I wrote this last year..

[kf4qhk]

I wrote this last year, and, for some reason, it has been on my mind in the past few days. I specifically think that the Lord wanted me to share it here.

In my recent journey with the Lord, I have been really focusing on Him as Father, and the main foundation on our relationship, at least His relationship with us, which, of course, is love. For various reasons, people have developed some serious misconceptions of what that relationship is supposed to look like, and, as a result, do not experience the true riches of God's grace. I would honestly believe that results in many believers living marginal Christian lives, and, the reason that many live in many insecurities.

However, I digress.

In the past week, the Lord directed me to one of the most basic books of the New Testament, I John. When I use the term "basic," I am referring to the fact that for most new believers, I John is the recommended reading. It contains great and rich truths about God's love for us, the fact that we can be secure in our relationship with Him, the fact that God has made arrangements for when we sin, and the fact of who our identity is in Him.

On a side note, I love how God has so blessed His Word that it comes alive, time and time again. I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit, and how He will really open the eyes my heart to be able to understand the same verse a hundred different ways, each uniquely crafted for my various situations.

Anyway, I came across one of the most common phrases used to describe our Heavenly Father, and that is, "God is Love." For many in our postmodern culture, questions are becoming more commonplace, as many are thankfully not accepting the norm that has consistently been taught for many years. I would have to say that most of the Church is seemingly afraid of the questions, as I was initially, but, as I grow deeper in wisdom and in my relationship with Him, I am increasingly grateful for them. The outpouring of questions has indicated a need for something deeper, so, it tells me that God is bringing more into a deeper walk with Him. The impact on society will be that fewer and fewer will serve God in form alone, but, will develop deep and lasting bonds with Him, so, they are forever transformed, and not just changed on a surface level.

Anyway, God is love. I got off on that tangent because it would be easy to ask, "What is love?" In fact, it would probably be a wise idea to ask the question, "What is love?" It's one of those questions that can be asked to 100 different people, and 100 different answers will be given. One of those reasons is that because people are different, their avenues of giving and receiving love are different, too. However, the main reason that people have developed different definitions of love is because it has been misrepesented to then.

So, if God is love, what is it, and, what does it mean to me, as a recipient of it? It could be said that love is not defined by the one giving it, but, by the one receiving it. God could be pouring His love down on me every day, but, if I refuse to receive it, then, it's really not too much good, now is it?

Many believers would refer to I Corinthians 13 as "The Love Chapter." In it, the Apostle Paul gives a definition of love that, in my opinion, offers a great view into the human heart, and may be the best evangelistic tool ever developed.

Love is patient.

Love is kind.

Love is not jealous.

Love does not brag.

Love is not arrogant.

Love does not act unbecomingly.

Love does not seek it's own.

Love is not provoked.

Love does not take into account a wrong suffered.

Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness.

Love rejoices in truth.

Love bears all things.

Love believes all things.

Love hopes all things.

Love endures all things.

Love never fails.

If God is love, then God is ALL of these things. It's amazing to me how many have a view of God that does not support the fact that He is love. Many would say that God's love is secondary to His primary attribute, which is holiness, but, I submit to you, that God does not have primary and secondary attributes. Each attribute of God flows from, supports, and adds to each other. So, Holiness floods from Love, Love builds up Holiness, and they each add to each other.

One of the great psychologists out there, in an examination of the human mind, has come up with a definitive consistency, which is that humans deal with a basic sense of inadequacy. Humans, by nature and by design, are incomplete in and of themselves. They lack. They long. They want. That's why many are lost in addictions, trying to fill that hole.

God so designed the human heart that it would crave each of these qualities. In looking for people in our "people radar," we immeidately love someone who is patient, kind, does not keep records of wrong things, that don't fail us, etc. People are wanting Who God is. Only He can satisfy that need. People, because of simply being human, will never be able to fulfill that which we are always longing for.

Many believers are looking for the next great evangelistic tool. They are looking for acronyms, dramas, songs, programs, but, the answer is much more simple. Deep inside the heart of every human is a desire for God, who, will fulfill them ultimately the way that they long to be fulfilled.

On a last note, as I said earlier, people have developed certain ideas of God that are contrary to His nature as Love.

God is patient. He is not standing there, tapping His foot, and staring at the clock on the back wall of your heart, waiting for you to suddenly do right. God is not motivated by the time it takes you to realize that He is the only way.

God is kind. God sacrificed all for you, and was willing to give His everything for you, with no strings attached, no questions asked. You may not accept what He gave you, but, He gave His everything, just for you. He really is deeply concerned not just for you, but about you.

God is not jealous. It does not throw God into a mad and/or bad day when you refuse to worship Him. Because His way is the only way that brings real life and true satisfaction, He does not get worried when you stray on your own path. God is not insecure.

God does not brag. Just because God, in His nature, deserves our worship, it does not mean that He forces us to worship Him. He does not force us to acknowledge His greatness, even though doing it brings the only satisfaction that we can truly attain, again, because He is not insecure. He is complete being just as He is. He chooses to let us have a relationship with Him.

God is not arrogant. In giving and paying the Ultimate Price (Jesus) for us, God demonstrated that He was not about Himself, He was about us. Jesus didn't die for Himself, He died for us.

God does not act unbecomingly. God is not evil, God does not throw temper tantrums, God is not rude. In the way that life is set up, God's way works, and the others, simply, do not. They are full of dry dust, dead leaves, and lead towards eternal destruction.

God does not seek His Own.

God does not take into an account a wrong suffered. God is simply not waiting to throw you straight to Hell, or to pour Hell out on you, when you sin. God does not keep a tally mark against His believers, saying that if they hit the magic "X" amount of sins, He's going to destroy/damn/damage them. When you confess your sins, and truly repent, they are gone. He does not hold on to them to remind you later on what you did. God's love is not conditional, based on your past, current, or future performance. Because God's love is perfect, It does not vary when you sin. He doesn't love you more when you do good, or less when you do bad.

God does not rejoice in unrighteousness. God does not laugh when we are going through struggles. God was not laughing, clapping His Hands, or doing some "Happy Dance" during Katrina, 09/11, or any other bad time in human history. When your sins land you in unpleasant consequences, He does not point His Finger in your face and laugh.

God rejoices in the truth. God's truth works. Living God's wisdom out of His word produces a good, prosperus life. God is happy when we follow His principals and they work for us.

God bears all things. God bore all of your sin and shame, guilt and regret, sadness and anger, and all the stuff that kept you from enjoying who He made you to be, on Calvary 2000 years ago.

God believes all things. God believes IN you. God has called everyone to a supernatural destiny, and Jesus is the empowerment of that.

God hopes all things. God knows the outcome of what you're going to do, but, God hopes that you'll follow Him. God has hope that you'll choose His way.

God endures all things. God already endured the cross, which was the epitomy of man's curse.

God NEVER FAILS!

If you're like me, and have walked through seasons that I believed that God was not who His Word says He was, you need to repent, and discover that God is ALL that you've ever needed or wanted.

[Newbie]

Outstanding and this should guide how we treat our clients and prospects.

[kf4qhk]

Wow. That's a good, yet unique interpretation. I guess Jesus did all right when He said "Treat others like you want to be treated."

[comets]

Really interesting. I am going to read this soon. bookmarked...