- "I Love..." is such a common phrase.
- We say we love our family...
- We love our friends...
- We love our pet...
- We love that car...
- ...We love hamburgers?
- When we say love, it's a little different than what Jesus was explaining true love to be.
- I mean, are you really willing to die for that burger?
- Jesus' love goes above and beyond.
- His love runs deep!
- Our love usually has conditions...
- Like, "If you do what I want you to do, then I'll love you."
- If not then I'll talk about you, reject you or ignore you.
- It's based on someone's performance.
- Jesus says I love you regardless of performance.
- Romans 5:10 says, "Our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.
- While we were still his enemy!
- Think of it - when you were at your worst ...He gave you His very best!
- Coloss. 1:22 says, "He (God) has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.
- When you were the farthest from Him, He brought you close!
- He brought you into His presence.
- Your were filthy and dirty and unholy, full of fault...
- An He cleaned you up, made you holy, without blame or a single fault!
- Wow!
- There's no way we deserve that?
- You can't possibly do enough good things to earn it.
- It's a free gift offered to you.
- Simply receive it!
- Regardless of your past - He offers you a brand new future!
- You are a brand new person!
- Receive it, and begin to show and extend the same kind of love to others.
- Get rid of the performance mentality and simply Love!
- Jesus gives all of His followers these instructions in John 13:34, "So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other."
- "Just as"
- Think about it - You are to love "Just as" Jesus loves."
- Love others.
- Forgive others.
- Bless others.
- Those that are the farthest, forgive them and bring them close.
- Are you ready to love like that?
- Begin NOW!
- Have a great Thursday!