Unconditional Love

    In the Greek, it is the word agape, which has nearly be-come an English word in the world of Biblical studies. The best definition from my finite mind for "unconditional love" is: doing or saying something beneficial for another, expecting nothing in return. It is sacrificial. A better definition is seen by its use in the New Testament. Let’s consider also a passage from the Old Testament where the word is absent, but its meaning is exemplified.

    First, unconditional love is the essence of God. "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son" (John 3:16). "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8). "God is love" (1 John 4:8, 16).

    Second, it is expressed by true disciples of Jesus. "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35). "If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments" (John 14:15). "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" (Matt 5:44).

    Third, it is expected of Christian husbands. "Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them" (Col 3:19). "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it" (Eph 5:25).

    Fourth, unconditional love was exemplified in the days of Daniel. Three Hebrew youths, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (more commonly known by their Babylonian names: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) were put in roles of leadership in Babylon following Daniel's interpretation of the king's dream (Daniel 2–3). King Nebuchadnezzar erected a statue of gold and made a decree for all to worship the statue (Daniel 3). The three Hebrew youths refused to do so, and so Nebuchadnezzar threatened them with death in a fiery furnace if they continued. Listen to their response to the king: "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up" (Daniel 3:17–18). What a tremendous love and faith these three men had for God. They had faith that he could and would save them from the fiery furnace; however, they loved God so much that they would still be faithful to Him, even if He did not save them from the fiery furnace. Do we love God that much?

    He loves us that much, and more. So much more that He sent His only Son to save the world, knowing most of the world would reject Him. The sacrifice has been made. Will we love Him? Certainly, “He first loved us” (1 John 4:19)! -Clifton Angel 

 

- Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS. He may be contacted through that congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com/

 

The Road into Love and Patience

By Ronald Bartanen “The Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 3:5)     Have you ever found yourself in unfamiliar territory, unsure of what road to turn on to get to your desired destination? If so, join the crowd.  While it is disturbing to be in such a predicament, it is tragic to be spiritually confused, uncertain of what lies ahead.  This can be the plight even of Christians who have begun the journey on the Christian Way, as indicated by Paul in writing to the believers in Thessalonica whom he has commended for their “faith and patience” while enduring persecution (1:4).       While Paul is obviously not denying their love for God, or their patient endurance, yet he saw the need to desire for them divine direction into both.  Were they not already in the love of God and patience? Yes, and no.  To illustrate, a man may take a plane from London to New York City, and may phone his family, informing them that he is now in the United States.  However, as a Midwesterner I would say he needs to leave NYC, and go on into the United States because there’s a lot more to see than what NYC can offer.  When we come in to the love of God, we do not stop our journey.  It’s then just begun.     How extensive is the love of God? One of our songs expresses it in these words: “The love of God is greater far,/Than tongue or pen can ever tell:/It goes beyond the highest star,/And reaches to the lowest hell.:”  In the storms of life, God would direct us into the sanctuary of His love.     Likewise, the “patient waiting for Christ” does not end when one rises from the waters of baptism.  We do not sit down, gazing into the clouds as we await His return for us.  Jesus warns His followers to not be found sleeping at His coming (Matt. 24:36), but faithful in watching and praying, even as tribulation in the world worsens, saying, “Watch ye, therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (Luke 21:36).      The road into the love of God and the patient waiting for Christ will not end until that day we stand in His presence.  Are you letting Him lead you into His love and steadfast patience?

- Ronald Bartanen is a retired minister who for many years served the Lord's church in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee. After the passing of his beloved wife, Doris, Ron has relocated from Illinois to Florida where he is near family. He may be contacted at: ron33dor@yahoo.com

God is Love (Part 1)

By Clifton Angel   The Apostle John wrote, “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love” (1 Jn 4:8). In the same writing, he continued, “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him” (4:16). This love, which exists by God and emanates from God can be—and, should be— experienced and exhibited by man. Using the word “love” as an acronym, let us note four characteristics of this great love.    God, Who is Love, is long-suffering. Paul wrote that the exhibition of this love results in the same, “Charity suffereth long … endureth all things” (1 Cor 13:4, 7). Peter wrote, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (1 Pet 3:9). Contextually, Peter wrote of God’s faithfulness to send His Son to return for His people as He promised (cf. John 14:1–6). We do not know when that day will be (cf. 1 Pet 3:10); however we can be confident He will return. Peter notes the time that transpires until then is evidence for his long-suffering and His desire for us to turn to Him.    On the occasion that God gave Moses’ a special law for His special people and had him record it a second time (cf. Ex 19–34), He granted Moses a most magnificent experience combined with an eternal exclamation: “And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering (emphasis mine, CA), and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation (Ex 34:6–7). What an amazingly, loving God we serve, extending His grace and mercy through His long-suffering (cf. Num 14:18; Psa 86:15; et al.)    We can know Him by loving like Him, and we can begin loving like Him by being long-suffering with others (cf. Eph 4:2; Col 3:12; 2 Tim 4:2). Do you know God? Do you love like God?

- Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS. He may be contacted through that congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com/

God is Love (Part 2)

By Clifton Angel
  “God is love” (1 John 4:8, 16). Continuing with the word “love” as an acronym, let us note the second of four characteristics of this great love. God, Who is Love, is vicarious.   To be vicarious is to take the place of another—to be a substitute. A similar term found in the New Testament is “propitiation.” The Apostle John wrote, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10). Jesus being our propitiation indicates that He took our place with a perfect sacrifice that could atone for our sins. “He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:5-6).   Truly, the crucifixion of Christ was the penultimate propitiatory moment when He “his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24). However, the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus was purposed in the mind of God before the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:20a), and began to be borne out at His conception and birth into this world (1 Peter 1:20b). “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only be-gotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:5–7). “Wherefore it behooved him in all things to be made like unto his brethren, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:17, ASV).   To contemplate the sacrificial life of Christ which led to the sacrificial death of Christ is to recognize our responsibility as sacrificial followers of Christ. Paul wrote, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20). Jesus commanded, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Do you know God? Do you love like God?

- Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS. He may be contacted through that congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com

God is Love (Part 3)

By Clifton Angel
  “God is love” (1 Jn 4:8, 16). Continuing with the word “love” as an acronym, let us note the third characteristic of this great love. God, Who is Love, is everlasting.   When children do not get their way, they are quick to accuse their parents of not loving them. It is a childish and selfish accusation that implies the parent’s love for their child has ceased and is not everlasting. Yet, the opposite is actually the case.! “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes” (Proverbs 13:24). Discipline is a exercise of parental love. Likewise, and on a grander level, God exhibits His love toward us through discipline. God through the prophet Jeremiah prophesied to His own special people, whom He would punish, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3). The Hebrews penman wrote to Christians in and around Jerusalem who were contemplating leaving Christ to go back to the law of Moses. Citing from Proverbs 3:11–12, he warned: “Ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?” (Hebrews 12:5–7).  Are we ever tempted to think that God has stopped loving us? In moments of loneliness, suffering, grief, persecution, disease, and death, there is a great temptation to accuse God of not loving us. I’ve often read these words from my colleague: “I love you, and there’s nothing you can do about it.” This sentiment originates from God. Despite our despair, grief, sin, and disbelief, God still loves us. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). In fact, the only person/thing that can separate the Christian from the love of Christ is one’s own self. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, for thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35-39).   “From everlasting to everlasting, thou art God” (Psalm 90:2). God is everlasting and His love is everlasting. Do you know Him? Do you love like Him?

- Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS. He may be contacted through that congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com/

God is Love (Part 4)

By Clifton Angel   If you have followed along with our “God is LOVE” article series, you know that we skipped the letter “O” in our acronym. Truly, “God is love” (1 John 4:8, 16). With the word “love” as an acronym, we have noted that God, Who is Love, is long-suffering, vicarious, and everlasting. We purposely saved the “O” for the end because of its application to us. God, Who is Love, is obliging.    In the classic sitcom “Wanted: Dead or Alive,” Steve McQueen plays the character Josh Randall, who is a horse-back-riding, sawed-off-rifle-carrying, bounty hunter. In the show, he would often say to someone who helped him: “Much obliged to ya!” Randall implied that he was grateful and indebted to his helpers. God’s nature of love obliges us to have the same love. “The love of Christ constraineth us” (2 Cor 5:14).    We are obligated to love God. “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous” (1 John 5:3). Jesus said, “If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments” (John 14:15, ASV).    We are obligated to love our Christian brethren. “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. … Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. … If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother  whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” (1 John 4:7–8, 11, 20).    And perhaps the most difficult, yet the most illustrative nature of this love, is that we are obligated to love our enemies. “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life” (Rom 5:10). Jesus said, “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil” (Luke 6:35). Similarly, Matthew recorded Jesus’ words in this manner: “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on  the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matt 5:43–45).    God, Who is LOVE, is long-suffering, obliging, vicarious, and everlasting. Do you know Him? Do you love like Him?

- Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS. He may be contacted through that congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com/

Those Whom Jesus Loves: Betrayers

By Andrew Beasley
    The problem of evil is one of many challenging subjects that humanity, especially those who believe in God, must wrestle with. It is frequently referenced by unbelievers as proof of why God cannot exist as they assert that a loving God would not allow evil to exist. However, studying God’s word will reveal to us that the problem of evil is addressed by God directly. In one instance in the Gospel of Luke, our Lord instructs those who are listening to “love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Lk. 6:27-28). In the Beatitudes Jesus teaches that we should be happy when we are persecuted, reviled and spoken negatively of for the cause of Christ because those who came before us were also persecuted, and the reward for enduring is great (Matt. 5:11-12).    One of the greatest acts of evil against Christ occurs by the hands of one of His closest friends, Judas Iscariot. We are familiar with the account of Christ’s betrayal to a similar degree that we are familiar with the crucifixion of Christ. The work on the cross was accomplished as much for Judas as it was for each of us. So, it seems that the problem of evil and how to address it has already been shown by Christ. Face it, handle it, and conquer it with love.

- Andrew Beasley serves as a minister with the Northwest Church of Christ in Greensboro, NC. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: https://nwchurchofchrist.com/about/

LOVE or LIKE?

By Bill Brandstatter
    The two words above are confusing to many people. I can love someone but not like certain practices. I can love someone because of the soul which God put in him; but, I may not like their lifestyle or habits. God is a God of love; (1 John 4:18) but God does not like all of man’s behaviors and practices.    He loved Adam and Eve. They were God’s first human creations. God loved them so much that He gave them a paradise home. Since He loved them, He gave them some commandments to guide them in their paradise. They chose not to follow those commands. As a result, they were expelled from the Garden of Eden and death came upon the human race. He did not like what they did, but He loved them.    He loved people in Noah’s day. People became more and more wicked. (Gen. 6:5) God was sorry He made man and was grieved in His heart. (Gen. 6:6) God still loved him, but was sorrowful about the behavior and lifestyle of those created after His image. So, God caused a great flood to come upon the earth. Everything was destroyed. The only survivors were Noah, his wife, his sons & their wives and the animals in the ark. God didn’t do this because He hated man. He did it because He didn’t like what they were doing, and they created problems for themselves.    He loves people today. He wants all men to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth. (1 Tim. 2:4) God is in the soul business. Man is in the flesh business. Man wants to justify self. God wants to save man from sin. So, when man reads the Bible, he thinks in different terms than God does. (Isa. 55:8, 9) Sometimes that which God condemns, man approves. That which man approves, God often condemns. (Isa. 10:30)    What man loves, God does not always like. (Isa. 5:20) Man loves pleasure and sinful activity. God loves man, but hates every evil way. God does not hate the person, but He often does hate their behavior. Jesus said the gate some would go through is broad and wide and the gate to heaven is narrow and difficult. (Matt. 7:13, 14) Man must make choices. If we know the word of God, we can better make the choices God wants us to make. He gave us the Bible because he loves us, yet He does not always like the things that we do. He demonstrates His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom. 5:8)

- Bill Brandstatter preaches for the Marion Church of Christ in Marion, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://marionchurchofchrist.com/

What Is Love

By Andrew Beasley     Love, love, love, love, the Gospel in a word is love. The Gospel, that we take into the world, is rooted in love. The message of Christ is rooted in love. Who we are as Christians is rooted in love. You cannot separate God’s people from love as the two go hand in hand. When we fail to love as God loves us, we fail to be His people.  Paul stated that we could do things like perform incredible miraculous gifts, but if we did so without love we were like a clanging cymbal or a resounding gong (1st Cor. 13:1)     But what is love? More importantly, what is the love that Jesus speaks of as the greatest and the second greatest commands (Matt. 22:36-40). We might start by recognizing that it is not love as the world would define it which might better be described as lust. Biblical love falls into three categories in the Greek language. Agape love, which is a sacrificial love that desires what it best for the recipient of love. Phileo love, which is the kind of brotherly love we see shared between David and Jonathan. And storge love, which we might define as the love one feels for his or her family.     What is love? Whether it is sacrificial, brotherly, or familial it should encompass and embody all that we are and everything we do.

-Andrew Beasley serves as a minister with the Northwest Church of Christ in Greensboro, NC. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: https://nwchurchofchrist.com/about/

This Is Love

By Andrew Beasley     Dan Winkler, in his book on grace, says that it is comprised of three elements which are the mercy, love and kindness of God. The more simplistic definition that is often given is that grace is simply unmerited favor. Both are worthy ways of defining and understanding grace but the more important question is how does the unmerited favor, mercy, love and kindness of God impact and change my life? The Bible informs us that God’s grace and its impact on our lives is multifaceted. We are of course saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8). It may continue with us, as John wishes for his readers at the end of the book of Revelation.     For the Hebrews writer, a throne of grace is described that can be drawn near to for the purpose of receiving grace when we are in need (Heb. 4:16). Context tells us that it is not just any need, but need in time of temptation. Immediately preceding this statement is a comforting reminder that we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, and who can sympathize with our weaknesses as He was tempted just as we are.     In other words, even when temptation abounds we can find help in God’s unmerited favor, mercy, love and kindness to overcome the challenges before us if we just choose to draw clear to Him. What a blessed and comforting thought!

-Andrew Beasley serves as a minister with the Northwest Church of Christ in Greensboro, NC. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: https://nwchurchofchrist.com/about/

How Christians Ought to Act Toward “One Another”

By Edd Sterchi
* Have peace with one another (Mark 9:50)* Love one another (John 13:34-35)* Be members of one another (Rom. 12:5)* Be affectionate to one another (Rom. 12:10)* Honor one another (Rom. 12:10)* Give preference to one another (Rom. 12:10)* Be of the same mind toward one another (Rom. 12:16)* Do not judge one another (Rom. 14:13)* Edify one another (Rom. 14:19; 1 Thess. 5:11)* Be like-minded one toward another (Rom. 15:5)* Receive one another (Rom. 15:7)* Admonish one another (Rom. 15:14)* Greet one another (Rom. 16:16)* Care for one another (1 Cor. 12:25)* Serve one another (Gal. 5:13)* Do not provoke one another (Gal. 5:26)* Do not envy one another (Gal. 5:26)* Bear one another's burdens (Gal. 6:2)* Bear with one another in love (Eph. 4:2)* Be kind to one another (Eph. 4:32)* Be tenderhearted toward one another (Eph. 4:32)* Forgive one another (Eph. 4:32)* Worship with one another, singing praises to God (Eph. 5:19)* Submit to one another (Eph. 5:21)* Do not lie to one another (Col. 3:9)* Comfort one another (1 Thess. 4:18)* Exhort one another daily (Heb. 3:13)* Consider one another, stirring up love and good works (Heb. 10:24)* Do not speak evil of one another (Jas. 4:11)* Do not grumble against one another (Jas. 5:9)* Confess your trespasses to one another (Jas. 5:16)* Pray for one another (Jas. 5:16)* Have compassion for one another (1 Pet. 3:8)* Be hospitable toward one another (1 Pet. 4:9)* Minister to one another (1 Pet. 4:10)* Fellowship with one another (1 John 1:7) “By this all will know that you are My disciples...” (John 13:35)

Edd Sterchi preaches for the Broadway Church of Christ in Campbellsville, KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.broadwaychurchofchrist.net/

Love Conquers

By Andrew Beasley       What is the greatest command? Jesus instructs that it is to love God, and that the second greatest is to love one’s neighbor as himself (Matt. 22:36-40). Paul in his discourse on spiritual gifts throughout chapters 12, 13 and 14 of 1st Corinthians teaches that spiritual gifts will eventually fade and three things will remain of which love was the greatest (1 Cor. 13:13). John, in his gospel account, records Christ noting that it was the bond of love between the Father and humanity that led him to send His only Son that we might have eternal life (Jn. 3:16).     It is no secret that if anyone had cause to hold and to harbor a grudge it would be God toward mankind. Moses records that God repented of making man because of their wickedness in the time of Noah (Gen. 6:6). Hosea, through inspiration, uses his relationship with his adulteress wife as an analogy for how the Hebrew people were treating God by their continued rebellion and repeated engagement with pagan idol worship. Yet God loved us so much that despite all of this He sent His son. These examples help to emphasize what Paul instructs in Colossians 3:14, that it is love that overcomes hardship and offenses. It is the bond of love between brethren that conquers the seemingly impossible, just as it was the bond of love that conquered sin and death.

- Andrew Beasley serves as a minister with the Northwest Church of Christ in Greensboro, NC. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: https://nwchurchofchrist.com/about/

The Urban Trance

By David A. Sargent     Recently, Tim Elmore shared a quote from Dr. Daniel Goleman’s book, Social Intelligence: People on busy city streets worldwide are less likely to notice, greet, or offer help to someone else because of what has been termed the “urban trance.”  Sociologists have proposed that we tend to fall into this self-absorbed state on crowded streets, if only to gird against stimulus overloaded from the swirl around us.  Inevitably, the strategy requires a trade-off: we shut out the compelling needs of those around us along with the mere distractions.  As a poet put it, we confront the “noise of the street dazed and deafened.” *     A lawyer once asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus told the following story in response to the question: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers.  They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.  A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.  So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.  But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.  He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine.  Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.  The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper.  'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have'” (Luke 10:30-35 NIV).     Then Jesus asked the lawyer a question: “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"     The lawyer replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”     Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:36-37).     The reason the priest and the Levite did not stop to help may not have been what Goleman described as the “urban trance,” but the effect was the same: a man who needed help didn’t receive it.  Those who don’t try to help others in need are not “good neighbors.”     In addition to learning from Jesus’ Parable of the Good Samaritan about what it means to “love your neighbor as yourself,” consider the One who told the story.     When WE were “left by the roadside,” suffering the deadly effects of our sins, Jesus didn’t suffer from the “urban trance”; He saw us.  He didn’t “pass by on the other side” like the priest and the Levite.  Rather, He – like the Good Samaritan – came to us, to help us, so that we might be healed of our spiritual malady.     Jesus’ remedy for our sin required His death on the cross as payment for our sins (Ephesians 1:7).  “By His stripes we are healed” (1 Peter 2:24).  Through Jesus, we can be saved from our sins and receive the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23).     God will save those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His word (1 John 1:7).     Rather than having the “urban trance,” Jesus looked upon us with loving concern and came to us to meet our greatest need by giving Himself for us.     Won’t YOU accept His offer of forgiveness and eternal life?     Then, let’s see the needs of others and share the love of Christ with them.

- David A. Sargent, minister for the Church of Christ at Creekwood in Mobile, Alabama, is also the editor of an electronic devotional entitled "Living Water." To learn more about this excellent resource contact David via their website: http://www.creekwoodcc.org * Tim Elmore “The Unintended Consequence of an Overwhelmed Student.” August 12, 2015 - See more at: http://growingleaders.com/blog/the-unintended-consequence-of-an-overwhelmed-student/#sthash.SHWfuT8q.dpuf

God Is Love

By David R. Ferguson     I’m continually amazed and grateful for the many ways God demonstrates His love to us. During my devotional time, I began to make a list of them and want to share them with you. I pray that you will be blessed as you are reminded of His great love.     He doesn’t change. Hebrews 13:8 tells us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever,” and Malachi 3:6 says, "I the Lord do not change.”     His love is always sure. Seasons change, people change, the world is changing, but God never changes. We can rely on Him.     He is faithful. God isn’t moody or fickle. We are. People will love you for a while and then they don’t. But God isn’t like that. He sticks with you. Mom     Whenever He asks us to obey Him, He also provides everything we need (1 Thessalonians 5:24). You can trust the One Who calls you to do that for you.     He’s our protector. He is our shield. And He is our “always there” protector. “So our hope is in the Lord. He is our help, our shield to protect us” (Psalm 33:20). Iti’s so comforting to know that everything that comes our way has to go through the shield about us before it touches us.     He’s always thinking about us. Psalm 139:17 says, “How precious it is, Lord, to realize that You are thinking about me constantly! I can’t even count how many thoughts turn towards me.” This is one of the neatest things. When you think about it, there are over seven billion people in the world, and He still thinks of you and me constantly. He’s able to give us His undivided attention.     He’s always with you. This is made abundantly clear in Scripture. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). No matter where we are, God will be there with us.     He’s never too busy for us. He never goes away, takes a break, or goes on a vacation. He will always have time for us!     When we are in trouble, we can be encouraged. Deuteronomy 33:27 tells us, “The eternal God is a hiding place, and underneath are His everlasting arms.” Those arms are longing to embrace you today as His child, for as John puts it, “God is love” (1 John 4:16).

- David R. Ferguson preaches for the Mentor Church of Christ in Mentor, OH.  He may be contacted hrough the congregation's website: http://mentorchurchofchrist.com/ or davidferguson61@yahoo.comt

Give Me A Sign!

By Joe Slater       God has never required trusting obedience without evidence. Biblical faith is not blind faith. Throughout the ages He has shown Himself to be infinitely worthy of our confidence.     In ancient times He used signs (miracles) to confirm His word. Jesus utilized abundant signs during His ministry. Despite such clear proof, His enemies taunted, “We want to see a sign from You” (Matthew 12:38). But Jesus, knowing their corrupt hearts, rejected their ploy. He would give them no sign except His resurrection!     God has blessed us today with His completely revealed, confirmed, and recorded word. His inspired apostles worked innumerable signs to verify it. That task being complete, no further proof is needed. Supernatural gifts, therefore, have ceased (1 Corinthians 13:8-10).     Nevertheless, many even today clamor for a sign! A difficult decision confronts us – “Give me a sign, Lord!” We want to know what the future holds – “Lord, send me a sign!”     More often than not, modern sign-seekers assume their subjective feelings are signs from God. “This decision gives me peace, so it must be God’s will.” Such reasoning is backward! We ought to be at peace because we know our decision is according to God’s written will, not just assume it is God’s will because we feel at peace.     It all goes back to “facts, faith, and feelings.” God’s word establishes the facts. Upon God’s word we base our faith. Knowing that we have trusted and obeyed God’s word should make us feel good. Many, however, have reversed this order: “I feel like this is right; therefore, that’s what I believe; therefore, it must be God’s will.”     We have God’s confirmed will. We need no signs!

- Joe Slater serves as minister of the Church of Christ in Justin, TX. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://justinchurchofchrist.com

“I want to know what Love is”?

By Ron Thomas       There are many who say they love God, but when asked how one can show love to God, they come up short – that is, they are uncertain how to answer or even what the correct answer is. They might say something like “Well, I know my own heart and I know there is a God, and there is no chance I’ll deny Him – so I know I love God!” This sound commendable, but is it accurate? Perhaps someone will say “Since God is love and He loves everyone, it seems to me that is good, so I’ll return the response.” This sounds less commendable, but it may reflect some who express their love for God.     Do you remember the song that was a hit back in the mid-1980s, “I want to know what love is”? How many would sing that song and be able to relate with it perfectly? However, many there may be, knowing what love is, is as simple as knowing the Lord. In truth, knowing the Lord and His definition of love is better than anything that comes from the mind of man, don’t you think? I do!     Those who say they love God but do not obey Him simply do not know what love is. They will tell you they do and, I suppose, in a limited sense, they do. Their standard, however, is not that which belongs to the Lord; thus, they are confused about the application of what love is. With this confusion, there is an influence extended to others and they, too, become confused (parents to children, for instance).     In effect, they have no love for God at all!     How can this be? It is this way because the privilege of saying “I love God” and it being accepted by the Lord does not belong to the one saying it! Knowledge is the foundation upon which one’s personal philosophy of life is lived. If there is no knowledge of what love is, then it’s not possible for one to exhibit what is unknown. Some understand this and seek to gain what they don’t have. Others, care not at all. They want to live as they choose, substantive knowledge is of little value to them. For others, there is a pretension of knowledge, but this knowledge is not based on what the Scripture teaches, only what they think or want to think.     Because of this, they both arrive at the same destination, which is at the cliff’s edge. Sadly, the momentum is such that they can’t stop and off they go! They made a choice to walk their own paths, believing, perhaps, the adage, “many roads lead to heaven, choose the one best or you.”     So, how can one know accurately whether he loves God or not? In 1 John 5, there are two answers. First, one needs to come to God and believe what He says (Heb. 11:6). To not come to God and obey is, in effect, to call God a liar. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in him: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he hath not believed in the witness that God hath borne concerning his Son (1 John 5:10, ASV). Second, when one follows the biblical pattern of believe, this necessarily translates into obedience of heart and actions. Hereby we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and do his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous (5:2-3).

- Ron Thomas preaches for the Church of Christ at Rio Grande in Bidwell, OH. He may be contacted at etsop95@gmail.com

“Love or Like?”

By Bill Brandstatter      The two words above are confusing to many people. I can love someone but not like certain practices. I can love someone because of the soul which God put in them; but, I may not like their life style or habits. God is a God of love; (1 John 4:18) but God doesn’t like all of man’s behaviors and practices.     He loved Adam and Eve. They were God’s first human creations. God loved them so much that He gave them a paradise home. Because He loved them, He gave them some commandments to guide them in their paradise. They chose not to follow those commands. As a result, they were expelled from the Garden of Eden and death came on the human race. He didn’t like what they did, but He loved them.     He loved people in Noah’s day. People became more and more wicked. (Gen. 6:5) God was sorry He made man and was grieved in His heart. (Gen. 6:6) God still loved mankind, but was sorrowful about the behavior and lifestyle of those created after His image. So, God caused a great flood to come upon the earth. Everything was destroyed. The only survivors were Noah, his wife, his sons & their wives and the animals in the ark. God didn’t do this because He hated man. He did it because He didn’t like what they were doing, and they were creating problems for themselves.     He loves people today. He wants all men to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth. (1 Tim. 2:4) God is in the soul business. Man is in the flesh business. Man wants to justify self. God wants to save man from sin. So, when man reads the Bible, he thinks in different terms than God does. (Isa. 55:8, 9) Sometimes that which God condemns, man approves. That which man approves God often condemns. (Isa. 10:30)     What man loves, God does not always like or approve. (Isa. 5:20) Man loves pleasure and sinful activity. God loves man, but hates every evil way. God does not hate the person, but He often does hate their behavior. Jesus said the gate many would go through is broad and wide and the gate to heaven is narrow and difficult. (Matt. 7:13, 14) Man must make choices. If we know the word of God, we can better make the choices God wants us to make. He gave us the Bible because He loves us, yet He doesn’t always like the things that we do. He demonstrates His love for us “in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8)

- Bill Brandstatter preaches for the Marion Church of Christ in Marion, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://marionchurchofchrist.com/

Are You “In Love” With Your Brethren?

By Edd Sterchi       It has been said that you should never fall in love with a tennis player – to them, love means nothing. Love should mean something to us. Love is an important concept to God and it should be to us, as well.     A common phrase we use is “in love” meaning that we are in a state of strong emotional attachment with someone. Well, I believe that Christians should be “in love” with one another. Doing a search of the phrase “in love” in our English Bibles reveals some interesting things concerning Christians’ relationship with each another (note: the following verses are based upon the NKJV). * “bearing with one another in love” (Eph. 4:2). This means that we are patient with one another – that we are always there for them. * “edifying...in love” (Eph. 4:15). To edify means to “build up.” We should always be endeavoring to uplift and encourage our brethren. * “walk in love” (Eph. 5:2). What is meant by walking is a way of life.     Our way of life ought to be that of caring for and expressing love for one another. * “esteem...very highly in love” (1 Thess. 5:13). We should prefer one another and honor one another because we love one another. If we properly operate “in love” with one another, we can see some benefits, as well. * “Being knit together in love” (Col. 2:2). We will grow closer together with the special love bond we have in Christ. * “abound in love to one another” (1 Thess. 3:12). Our love will grow in intensity and be so abundant that it will literally know no bounds. “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.” (1 John 4:16)

- Edd Sterchi preaches for the Broadway Church of Christ in Campbellsville, KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.broadwaychurchofchrist.net/

Everyone

By Lance Cordle       People who saw the animated feature film “Beauty and the Beast” will undoubtedly remember the song with the same title as the movie, performed by Peabo Bryson and Celine Dion. Since that time, the name of Celine Dion has been related to great music and her voice has been admired by many people. She has performed concerts throughout the world and sold millions of records. It has not been unusual to hear her name in the news over the past few years as well. In December of 2022, Celine announced she had been diagnosed with the rare disorder known as Stiff-Person Syndrome. It is a painful neurological disorder and there is no cure for it. Celine is fifty-eight years old and her career is in jeopardy because of this condition. In fact, numerous concerts she had planned for the coming months have had to be cancelled.     What is interesting to observe is the fact that most people would easily describe Celine Dion as a privileged and successful person, and have been shocked to learn that she is dealing with such a serious disorder. However, what this situation reveals is that everyone, including celebrities, deals with some sort of serious personal issue on a daily basis. As you greet the first person in your list of encounters of the day, it would not be unheard for that person to have a serious illness, a death in the family, or an emotional or physical handicap. Many other possibilities could be given and various ones with whom you come into contact daily would be dealing with them.     Job is of course correct in his assessment of the human condition “Man who is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble” (Job 14:1). No doubt, we are aware of our own issues and troubles, and want people to be kind to us in their interactions with us. Why not return the favor and assume that everyone you meet is in the process of dealing with emotional or physical trauma and treat them with kindness?     If you knew the cashier at the grocery store had just experienced the death of a loved one, would you not treat them with courtesy and consideration? If you knew that your supervisor or employer had just been diagnosed with cancer, would you be as quick to criticize them? If you knew your coworker was in a troubled marriage, would you be cruel in your treatment of them?     Long ago, Jesus gave us the perfect way to deal with people who are facing personal crises. It is “built” for the possibility of encountering someone who is hurting. Here is the formula: “So, whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them . . .” (Matthew 7:12)     We call it the Golden Rule and it still works . . . for everyone.

- Lance Cordle preaches the Calvert City Church of Christ in Calvert City, KY.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.calvertchurchofchrist.com

Happy Valentine’s Day

By Joe Slater       Not even the Roman Catholic Church can decide with certainty which (if any) of three candidates is the real “Saint” Valentine. One popular view is that he was a “bishop” who kept on solemnizing marriages despite Roman emperor Claudius II supposedly banning marriage of soldiers in his army. This Valentine, so the story goes, was arrested and eventually martyred. Historical evidence is lacking; even referring to this as “legend” might be a stretch.     More likely, “Saint Valentine’s Day” is yet another attempt to “Christianize” a pagan holiday. In this case, it’s the feast of Lupercalia, a fertility festival honoring Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture. It was celebrated on February 15. Our calendar puts Valentine’s Day on February 14. Oh well, close enough!     As with Christmas, Easter, and Halloween, celebrating Valentine’s Day doesn’t make you a pagan. Go ahead, give your sweetheart a box of chocolates! When people’s minds are focused on the birth of Christ, it’s a great opportunity to teach the truth about it. Ditto with the Resurrection. So let’s use this holiday to teach the truth about marriage!     In American Society Biblical marriage has fallen on hard times. “Currently, 60% of all marriages are preceded by cohabitation” (foryourmarriage.org/cohabitation/). Hebrews 13:4 says, “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” Folks, we have much teaching to do! Let us have the backbone to reject political correctness, “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15).

- Joe Slater serves as minister of the Church of Christ in Justin, TX. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://justinchurchofchrist.com