Tag Archives: love

JESUS SAID – 6

Bible Study, ,

John 3:18-19 NLT
[18] “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. [19] And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but PEOPLE LOVED THE DARKNESS more than the light, for their actions were evil.”

Have you ever wondered why so many people hate God and run from Him? Some have even made themselves believe that there is no God! So, they hate and run from someone who doesn’t exist! Now that’s strange!

This shows me that even atheists know that God is real but won’t admit it because they want to sin! They conveniently believe, against what is indelibly written on their hearts from birth,

Ecclesiastes 3:11b NLT
[11] “He has planted eternity in the human heart…”

… that when they die, they cease to exist.

So, for them, sinning doesn’t matter because there is no God, no accountability, and no judgment.

Psalms 14:1 NIV
[1] “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God (for me – understood).” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.”

However, for these people, it’s okay to believe what is not true as long as they are willing to accept the consequences.

Now, let’s look at the real reason Jesus said people hate God or want to believe that there is no God.

“… People loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.”

The bottom line is that people will always follow what they love. This is a truth that applies everywhere and on every level in life.

For example, what about our use or abuse of money? We master money or money masters us by who or what we love.

Luke 18:18, 20-25 NLT
[18] Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: “Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”
[20] But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.’” [21] The man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” [22] When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” [23] But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich. [24] When Jesus saw this, he said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God! [25] In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”

Matthew 6:24 NLT
[24] “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”

In the end, we decide where we will spend all of eternity, not by what we say or what we do but by what we love! Isn’t that amazing? We demonstrate what we love by what we say and do. God’s judgment is so just that He allows us to be our own judge.

Proverbs 8:13 NIV
[13] “To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.”

How can we become lovers of God more than the lovers of money or anything else?

There is only one way. The Holy Spirit in us draws us to the love of God when we spend time contemplating God’s love for us.

2 Thessalonians 3:5 NIV
[5] “May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.”

Our love for God is our response to His love for us.

1 John 4:10, 13, 19 NIV
[10] “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins…
[13] This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit…
[19] We love because he first loved us.”

Our love for God then, motivates us towards obedience and submission to Him. Jesus’ interaction with Peter after Peter’s denial reveals the core of our trust in and obedience to Him.

John 21:15 NIV
[15] When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

The Apostle Paul testified…

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 NIV
[14] “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. [15] And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”

So, we must all answer this question, “Who or what do you love the most?” In this context, our words and deeds will provide the answer.

PARTNERS WITH THE SPIRIT

Bible Study, ,

Philippians 1:9-11 NLT
[9] “I pray that your LOVE will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on GROWING in knowledge and understanding. [10] For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. [11] May you always be filled with the FRUIT of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.”

Paul’s recorded prayers are sublime and rich with purpose.

Love is always prominent, together with knowledge, understanding, and righteous living which is the fruit of our relationship with God. .

Why is love so important to Paul?

First, he commends the love already evident in the lives of the believers and prays for their love to increase and grow in their church fellowship and in the wider body of Christ. This love they show to one another is proof positive that they are new people in Christ.

1 John 3:11, 14 NLT
[11] “This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another…
[14] If we love our brothers and sisters who are believers, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead.”

  1. Love is the nature of God.
    Together with holiness, God’s hatred for and separation from sin and His faithfulness to His nature, is His love. He is holy love. His goal is to recreate in us the image of His Son who is the perfect replica of the Father…holy love.

1 John 4:16 NLT
[16] “We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.”

  1. Loving one another is the evidence that God’s love is in us, His children. The presence of the Holy Spirit in us pours God’s love into our lives to be lived out in daily life.

Romans 5:5 NLT
[5]”And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”

Colossians 3:10,14 NLT
[10] “Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him….
[14] Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.”

  1. Loving one another is one of only two New Covenant commandments.

1 John 3:23 NLT
[23] “And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us.”

  1. Love fulfills all 613 Old Covenant commandments.

1 John 2:7 NLT
[7] “Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment for you; rather it is an old one you have had from the very beginning. This old commandment—to love one another—is the same message you heard before.”

Romans 13:8, 10 NLT
[8] “Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law…
[10] Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.”

  1. Love demonstrates to the world that we are Jesus’ disciples.

John 13:34-35 NLT
[34]” So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. [35] Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

Is it any wonder that Paul should put love as the first of his prayers for his fellow believers!

Second, Paul was passionate about the growth of his fellow believers in knowledge and understanding.

Knowledge provides the basis of our faith in Christ. God’s Word is the source of our knowledge about who God is, who we are, and what He has done to restore us to fellowship with Him. Knowledge is imperative for faith that is grounded in the truth. Hence it is important that we continually increase in our knowledge of Scripture.

Understanding is the work of God’s Spirit, providing meaning to the truths of God’s Word. The Spirit is the interpreter of the Word, opening our minds to recognise and apply the truth in our daily circumstances. This partnership between the Holy Spirit and us, based on our knowledge of God through His Word, is the foundation of spiritual growth.

John 16:13 NLT
[13] “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.”

Spiritual growth, in turn, is imperative for spiritual maturity.

Paul gives us a picture of maturity and the path to maturity in his letter to the Ephesians.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NLT
[11]”Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. [12] Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. [13] This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. [14] Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. [15] Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. [16] He makes the whole body fit together perfectly.
As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”

How important it is, then, in our partnership with God’s Spirit and with one another, that we pray for the knowledge and understanding that move us towards maturity.

Third, fruit…! What does Paul mean by “fruit”?

Fruit is the purpose and outcome of a fruit tree. If a fruit tree fails to bear fruit and, since it grows for no other purpose, it must be cut down and destroyed.

Luke 13:6-7 NLT
[6] “Then Jesus told this story: “A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. [7] Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down. It’s just taking up space in the garden.’ “

What, then, constitutes “fruit” in the life of a believer? Although leadimg others to Christ may be regarded as fruit, the Bible classifies fruit as the work of the Holy Spirit in us that reveals the nature of the tree, the character of Jesus being formed in us.

Matthew 7:17-20 NLT
[17] “A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. [18] A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. [19] So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. [20] Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.”

Jesus said that the branches must remain connected to the vine to produce the fruit of the vine.

John 15:4 NLT
[4]”Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”

So, first, to bear the fruit that identifies its source, the branch…that’s us, must remain in vital union with the Vine…that’s Jesus.

Second, the fruit that the branch in the vine produces will be grapes, not anything else. The fruit of the believer’s life will reveal the nature of the tree from which it grows. This fruit will reveal one of only two natures, Adam’s nature if we are not in the vine, called “the works of the flesh” or the nature of Jesus, called “the fruit of the Spirit”.

Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
[22] “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”

This nine-fold fruit is a package of characteristics that grows from our union with Jesus. These characteristics are the attitudes and responses the Holy Spirit produces in us towards God, others, and ourselves in the circumstances of our lives.

First…love, joy, peace…Jesus’ legacy to all believers. Before He died, He gave His disciples His own disposition, “my love… my joy… my peace…” as a bulwark against the onslaught of hatred and opposition from a hostile world. Encased in His love, joy, and peace, nothing would deter them from loyalty and faithfulness to Him.

When we trace the story of the apostles after the resurrection, we recognise that the Holy Spirit in them was the key to their faithfulness to Jesus in the face of opposition, persecution, torture, and death itself. Despite all odds, they persevered because they were encased in the love, joy, and peace that Jesus had given them.

Second…patience, kindness, goodness…the disposition of Jesus in us towards all people, believers and “outsiders”. God’s grace through the Holy Spirit, produces in us the opposite responses to the way people in the world react…aggression, retaliation, revenge.

Ephesians 4:1-4 NLT
[1] “Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. [2] Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. [3] Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. [4] For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.”

Within the body of Christ and to people outside His body, patience, kindness, and goodness replace the ungodly responses of our old nature as we rely on the Holy Spirit for His grace.

Third…faithfulness, gentleness(meekness), self control…the ways in which we rein ourselves in and replace the old demands of “me first” with “God and others”. What is our attitude to ourselves in our interactions with God and people?

Faithfulness…setting ourselves aside for the sake of our duty and calling, the one requirement of a servant and the standard by which our work will be measured.

“In the Bible, faithfulness is a key characteristic of a servant, and is described as loyalty, trustworthiness, and dedication to one’s duties…” (quoted from Google…article, “a servant must be faithful”).

1 Corinthians 4:2 NLT
[2] “Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful.”

Matthew 24:45-47 NIV
[45]“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? [46] It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. [47] Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.”

Faithfulness implies setting aside one’s own concerns for the sake of one’s duty to others.

Gentleness…a better translation is meekness, not weakness but “inner strength, emotional intelligence, and moral character”, (according to Meta).

Meekness is the ability to control one’s self, to submit to another, like a horse that submits to the rider’s bit and bridle.

Ephesians 5:21 NLT
[21] “And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

Self control…the overall quality of self-discipline, which Paul calls “putting to death the deeds of the flesh”.

For harmonious relations in the church family and in the world, the believer must set aside self for the good of others. This cannot happen without the power of the Holy Spirit.

How important, then, as partners with Holy Spirit in prayer, we participate in the process of maturing, both in ourselves and in other believers in their progress towards becoming like Christ, the goal of the Father for us.

PRAYING GOD’S WAY – 22

Prayer, ,

EVEN MORE!

‭1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 NLT‬
[12] “And may the Lord make your LOVE for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. [13] May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen.“

Such a happy letter! Paul has much to commend the people in the Thessalonian church. They responded to his message, believed the truth and lived it out among the pagans in their city.

Unlike the people in some churches, Thessalonians believers didn’t drag their pagan lifestyle with them into their new lives. Their love for one another was powerful evidence of God’s work of grace in them.

All through the ages, the ‘wheat’ and the ‘weeds’ in the world are left to grow together. When harvest time comes, Jesus said, the wheat and weeds will be separated according to their fruit. The true and the false may be difficult to differentiate as they grow but their fruit will eventually give them away.

So, Paul prays, whatever the Thessalonians believers were doing, do it even more. In this way, when harvest time comes, there will be no doubt about their identity and to whom they belong.

‭1 Thessalonians 4:1 NLT‬
[1] “Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more.”

Paul’s prayer for the Philippians Church enshrines this thought.

‭Philippians 1:11 NLT‬
[11] “May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.”

There is a particular fragrance, an aroma, about those who belong to Jesus, like the fragrance of freshly-picked fruit that identifies its kind.

‭2 Corinthians 2:15 NLT‬
[15]”Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing.”

As we read through Paul’s letters of correction, instruction, and encouragement to different groups of people, qualities and characteristics begin to emerge that typify true believers.

‭1 Thessalonians 1:3 NLT‬
[3]”As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your FAITHFUL WORK , your LOVING DEEDS , and the ENDURING HOPE you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

‭Romans 1:8 NLT‬
[8] “Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your FAITH in him is being talked about all over the world.”

‭Colossians 1:4-5 NLT‬
[4] “For we have heard of your FAITH in Christ Jesus and your LOVE for all of God’s people, [5] which come from your confident HOPE of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News.”

‭1 Corinthians 13:13 NLT‬
[13]”Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.”

Faith, love, hope… the core qualities of believers in Jesus, evidence of the new life in Him, emerge from Paul’s writings. These are the fruit of our salvation.

The fragrance of these fruits pervade the atmosphere around us like sweet perfume. O, that the Lord would fill His people with the fruits of our salvation!

We have Paul’s example to follow as we obey his instruction to pray for all believers everywhere.

‭Ephesians 6:18 NLT‬
[18] “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”

Whatever believers are doing that shows their true life in Jesus, pray that they will do it even more. There are spinoffs when we channel our energies into faith, hope and love,

“May he, as a result, make your hearts STRONG , BLAMELESS , and HOLY as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people.”

“… for this will bring much glory and praise to God.”

Isn’t this, after all, what we desire above all else, as God’s beloved children, to be strong, blameless, and holy when we stand before God, and to bring much praise and glory to Him? Our prayers will contribute to the quality of the fruit God’s children bear all over the world that make this possible.

ROOTED IN LOVE – 8a

Bible Study, ,

Ephesians 3:14-17 NLT‬
[14] “When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, [15] the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. [16] I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. [17] Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.”

As we read through the Apostle Paul’s letters, we must keep in mind that he was called to reach and teach Gentiles.

Gentiles were pagans, born and raised in the belief systems of worldly paganism with its foolishness, ignorance, and idolatry. What a mission!

The pagan gods Gentiles worshipped were both the product of their ungodly minds and the influence of their wicked spirit rulers. Gentiles were steeped in idolatry, attributing all their human experiences to evil, unpredictable, and capricious powers represented by visible images.

(Paul warns his readers in Corinth against trespassing into pagan territory by knowingly eating meat offered to idols).

(‭1 Corinthians 10:16, 19-20 NLT‬
[16] “When we bless the cup at the Lord’s Table, aren’t we sharing in the blood of Christ? And when we break the bread, aren’t we sharing in the body of Christ?…
[19] What am I trying to say? Am I saying that food offered to idols has some significance, or that idols are real gods? [20] No, not at all. I am saying that these sacrifices are offered to demons, not to God. And I don’t want you to participate with demons.”)

Gentiles lived in fear of falling foul of their gods’ whims and, consequently, did whatever they could to stay in favour with them. Since their gods represented demon spirits who were the epitome of evil, there was no end to the debauchery and wicked behaviour their worshippers engaged in.

God sent Paul to these people to tell them the truth. Imagine how difficult it must have been for him to tell them about the God and His interventions that were utterly foreign to them! Therefore, Paul’s confidence lay, not in the eloquence of his preaching, but in the power of the message he preached.

‭Romans 1:16 NLT‬
[16] “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.“

‭1 Corinthians 1:17-18 NLT‬
[17]”For Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News—and not with clever speech, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power. [18] The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.”

Paul’s tidy mind enabled him to explain God’s plans and the execution of them in an orderly way. How important that his readers have as clear an understanding of their faith as possible! Based on the knowledge of what God has done, his readers, in turn, would learn how to respond to God’s grace.

Faith without knowledge is fragile and dangerous. Without an understanding of what and why people believe what they believe, they have no solid foundation upon which to build their confidence in God. They are vulnerable to any “wind of doctrine” that may blow from unscrupulous preachers.

So, God in Christ has made provision, through the gift of people equipped with the knowledge of the truth, to train His people to be who they are, sons of the Most High God.

[11] “Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. [12] Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. [13] This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. [14] Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.”

Everything Paul has explained in his Ephesian letter so far, is leading to a grand conclusion. Paul knew that the power of the gospel in all its facets lay in the Holy Spirit’s revelation of truth. The Spirit and the Word of God are an inseparable duo, working together in tandem to enlighten His people with life-changing truth. Without the Spirit, the Word is sterile. Without the Word, the Spirit has no ammo with which to dislodge lies. Together, the Spirit and the Word renew minds, and change lives.

‭Ephesians 6:13-17 NLT‬
[13] Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. [14] Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. [15] For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. [16] In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. [17] Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the SWORD of the SPIRIT, which is the WORD OF GOD.

‭Ephesians 6:18 NLT‬
[18] “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”

Following his detailed explanation of God’s cosmic plan of salvation, including the place Gentiles occupy in His plan, Paul does the only thing left to do. He prays! Paul’s response to this plan so superb that no human mind could ever imagine it into reality, is to call on God’s Spirit to disclose its source and meaning to his readers to give them understanding of the truths he taught them, and empower them to live by who they are.

Why has God done all of this for us? What prompted Him to go to the lengths He did to rescue us from our self-destructive ways and catapult us into untold favour and blessing? Only one thing….His love!

God’s very essence is love. Everything He is, says, and does issues from His love.

“Essence is the basic nature of a thing, and the quality or qualities that make a thing what it is” (Definitions from Oxford Languages).

For us to live loved, to quote Paul Adams of “The Shack” fame, we must know God’s love in both understanding and experience. How can this happen? Only through the Holy Spirit in us, working through the truth we now know, to secure our faith in that love.

We cannot live “rooted in love” until we know what that LOVE has done for us. We cannot know what that love has done for us until the Holy Spirit convinces us of its truth through the Word. The revelation of that Word comes from the apostles God chose to be the channels through whom His truth was written.

‭Ephesians 3:3-5, 8-9 NLT‬
[3]”As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me. [4] As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. [5] God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets…
[8] Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. [9] I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning.”

Paul’s prayer, then, is an echo of God’s heart and purpose. This is what true prayer is. God has done everything needed to undo the devil’s work and redo His original plan. It will happen in us as and when we add our “Amen!” to what He has done.

We can only participate in the fullness of God’s plan as we live loved in all the dimensions of God’s love. We learn to attribute everything that happens in our lives, good and bad, to the love that is guiding us towards God’s desired end. We trust that love even in our darkest times because we know that He is working for our good.

‭Ephesians 3:19 NLT‬
[19] “May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”

There is always much more of God’s limitless love than we can ever know or experience here, now. Yet, God’s power administered to us through His Spirit will always show us more… and more… and more… as we are ready to receive it.

And if and when we ever reach this level, we will discover, to our delight, that there’s aways still more… much more!

‭Ephesians 3:20-21 NLT‬
[20] “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. [21] Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.”

To be continued…

DO YOU LOVE ME? – 28

Bible Study, ,

John 21:15-17 NLT‬
[15] “After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. [16] Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. [17] A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.”

What do you do when someone you love fails you? Cut him out of your life? Ostracised her? Send him to “rehabilitation Siberia”? Put her on probation? Demand repentance and an apology?

Do these methods work?

The first thing that failure does is to destroy trust. How does one rebuild trust? How does one forgive an act of betrayal? What if it happens again?

It all seems so complicated and so futile. What was done was done and no one can turn the clock back. So, where do we go from here? How can we repair the damage? Do we want to repair the damage?

Jesus had a revolutionary and effective way of taking care of this situation. Peter had denied knowing Him… three times…with oaths and curses…in front of a group of people…and Jesus heard him.

Jesus bypassed all our methods of dealing with this kind of pain. First, He made Peter feel the heat of the moment all over again. Early morning in the beach! Remember, Peter? Early morning in the courtyard of Caiaphas’ house, dawn breaking, sun coming up, Jesus over there, listening? Can you feel it, Peter? On the beach, dawn breaking, sun coming up, Jesus over there?

Gharcoal fire, Peter, cold morning, warming your hands. Remember, Peter? Can you feel it, Peter?

Hot tears run down Peter’s cheeks. The flashbacks! How can he forget?

Not a word about it at breakfast. Peter almost chokes over his bread and fish. “I just wish He’d say something!”

A quiet word, “Come with me, Simon.” Why Simon? “Because I’m talking to the old Simon.” An intent gaze into Simon’s eyes and then, here it comes!

“Simon son of John, do you love me?”

What! Not a word of rebuke, not an angry accusation! Just a gentle question. So unexpected. So deflating. Is that all you have to say? But so effective! Not, “Look what you did to me.” but “Look what you did to yourself!”

Have you noticed how Jesus never ever, focused on His own feelings, His own suffering in tough situations? Even at the height of His agony, He was concerned about others. So, now too, it was Peter on His mind. A blunt, straightforward question, ignoring motives, attitudes, purposes, getting to the the heart of the matter. In the heat of the moment, Peter’s love for Jesus got run over by his urge to preserve hinself. Self-preservation became priority. Fear gave love a knockout blow. It was time to put his love for Jesus back into perspective.

Although love seems a weak reason for guarding against fear, love is the powerful protector of all relationships. Think of it! It’s love for a husband, wife, child, friend, that overrides fear and gives one courage to act in a time of crisis, ignoring one’s own feelings or safety for the sake of the other .

This love motivated Jesus to endure the cross.

Peter’s love for Jesus failed at the crucial moment, too fragile to endure personal threat. Isn’t this the crux of the battle between flesh and Spirit? Love against fear! Isn’t it love that empowered the Spirit-filled apostles to endure even to violent death for Jesus’ sake.

When love for Jesus is rekindled, even after gross failure, and energised by God’s Spirit, there is no need for accusation, recrimination, or even rehabilitation. Love’s steady flame will burn through every reason to doubt, every qualm about trusting Him, and every threat to personal freedom and safety.

Love for Jesus will protect us from failing to love others at our expense.

‭John 13:34 NLT‬
[34] “So, now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.”

John 14:21 NLT‬
[21] “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”

As always, Jesus got it right. When we fail Jesus or others by denial or betrayal, check the love thermometer. Is it hot or cold? There is no value in lukewarmness.

‭Revelation 3:15-16 NLT‬
[15] “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! [16] But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!”

‭1 John 4:16-18 NLT‬
[16] “We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. [17] And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. [18] Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.”

What a beautiful solution to a sticky problem! How do we overcome our cowardly attitude when self is threatened? How do we deal with our or another’s failure to protect love?

Back to basics! Gaze at the Father; gaze at Jesus!

‭1 John 4:10 NLT‬
[10] “This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.”

‭1 John 4:19 NLT‬
[19] “We love (Him, each other) because he loved us first.”

Only God’s love for us makes it possible for us to love Him and to love one another…and this love, through the Holy Spirit, protects us from fear. We focus on Him under threat. And “love never fails.”

When we look at Jesus and love Him because He loved us first, we can get on with feeding, caring for, and protecting His sheep without fear. His live with keep us loyal to Him to the end. It did for Peter!