"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." (John 3:16-17)
This is one of the most frequently quoted passages in the bible, yet it's truth and revelation is still gripping - it is the core of who Yahweh is, and who Yah'shua (Jesus) is. And it boils down to one word. LOVE.
Now let's have a look at the human condition, and what we are: "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:13)
"He went on: "What comes out of a man is what makes him `unclean'. For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man `unclean'." (Mark 7:20-23)
We are obviously evil in our natural state and we have no love in us of our own - see what Hosea observed in his people when they removed themselves from God:
"Hear the word of the LORD, you Israelites, because the LORD has a charge to bring against you who live in the land: "There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land. There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed. (Hosea 4:1-2)
So again the question may be asked.. Where is Love found? and the answer is, in Yahweh Elohim. Does that mean that people are doomed to be evil always? No, because God is not only willing to extend love to us (John 3:16-17), but he will give us the capability to love if we will receive it, Yah'shua's (Jesus') wish for us to have it is so strong that he said:
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35)
This leads to the further question, what is love? It is the fulfillment of the law (Rom 13:10). That is why the source of love said: "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48) God's law is the instrument to become that - Yah'shua (Jesus) didn't break one single commandment from the Lord while on earth (or at all for that matter) and that is how we can tell that he was (and is) perfect.
In order to discern those who are righteous (loving and aligned to Yahweh's law) from those who are not we are told: "By their fruit you will recognise them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognise them. (Matthew 7:16-20)
What are the fruits of God's love in our lives? "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires." (Galatians 5:22-24)
Here is a key - We cannot become perfect on our own, we cannot love on our own - all we can do is let ourselves die! Then we will be given a new life in Yah'shua haMasshiach (Jesus Christ). But untill we have let go, we cannot receive. That is the challenge: Dare we have no control left? Dare we give Yahweh free reign? If we do, we won't regret it! He will fill us with His love, and perfect us. He will give us genuine peace, and we need not have fear or worry any more. But, to those blessings there are NO short cuts. If we do not enter through the Messiah who is the gate (John 10:7-18), we don't enter at all!
The Christan life is about extending love to everybody, but expecting it only from Yahweh Elohim. Then we can stay content always.
May our Father shower you with His love and blessings, and may we all receive His gifts willingly is my prayer in the name of Yah'shua haMashiach (Jesus Christ). Amen.
