Laying a strong Foundation

"According to the grace (the special endowment for my task) of God bestowed on me, like a skillful architect and master builder I laid [the] foundation, and now another [man] is building upon it. But let each [man] be careful how he builds upon it, for no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is [already] laid, which is Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)." (1Co 3:10-11)

Laying a strong Foundation

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Truth that sets men free, can only be experienced when the Word of God is constantly obeyed and practiced.

TEACHING

LAYING AN EXCELLENT FOUNDATION

Session 4

The Love of God

Part 1

The Basics

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Introduction

Has the God of the New Testament changed from the God of the Old Testament?

God the Father’s love for you

Jer 31:3 The Lord appeared from of old to me [Israel], saying, Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you. [Deu. 7:8]

The Lord appeared from of old to me [Israel], saying,
- God appeared to Jeremiah in a very personal way and spoke to him in a very personal way
- Yes, I have loved you
  - God told Jeremiah that He has always loved him
  - God wants a personal relationship with his people
  - God loves His people with a great passion and deep intimacy
  - with an everlasting love;
    - God’s love never changes
    - God has never changed and will never change!
    - God has always loved and will always love!
therefore
- with loving-kindness
  - because of God’s love – God does what He does!
  - God is always motivated by love
  - God wants to show us His loving kindness!
    - God is very kind towards us
  - have I drawn you
    - God uses His love draw us toward Him
    - God does not want us to be motivated by a fear for Him
  - and continued My faithfulness to you. [Deu. 7:8]
    - God is faithful and His love can be trusted!
    - We cannot trust a God whom we think does not love us!

Jesus - The Exact Expression of the Father

Heb 1:1-3 IN MANY separate revelations [each of which set forth a portion of the Truth] and in different ways God spoke of old to [our] forefathers in and by the prophets, 2 [But] in the last of these days He has spoken to us in [the person of a] Son, Whom He appointed Heir and lawful Owner of all things, also by and through Whom He created the worlds and the reaches of space and the ages of time [He made, produced, built, operated, and arranged them in order]. 3 He is the sole expression of the glory of God [the Light-being, the out-raying or radiance of the divine], and He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God's] nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power. When He had by offering Himself accomplished our cleansing of sins and riddance of guilt, He sat down at the right hand of the divine Majesty on high,

IN MANY separate revelations [each of which set forth a portion of the Truth] and in different ways
- God spoke of old to [our] forefathers in and by the prophets,
  - In the Old Testament God spoke to mankind through prophets
  - God revealed Himself to mankind in many ways – which each time had the purpose to reveal another aspect or character of Himself
  - Mankind had a wrong perspective of God
[But]
- in the last of these days He has spoken to us in [the person of a] Son,
  - In the New Testament God decided to revealed Himself to mankind in another way
  - God decided to reveal himself in a very personal way – IN and THROUGH a Son / the Son
    - God decided to reveal Himself in the form of a man – the Son of Man
  - Whom He appointed Heir and lawful Owner of all things,
    - God’s determined that all mankind must make the Man – Jesus Christ, in and through whom He revealed Himself to mankind the heir and the owner of all things
  - also by and through Whom He created the worlds and the reaches of space and the ages of time
    - God revealed that He has created all things THROUGH the Son
      - How did God create all things? By His Word – by speaking it into existence
      - Who is therefore the Son? The Word of God – the way God communicated to people!
    - [He made, produced, built, operated, and arranged them in order].
  - He is the sole expression of the glory of God
    - An expression is the way God wants Himself to be portrayed
    - Jesus Christ is the only perfect way God wants Himself to be portrayed
    - [the Light-being, the out-raying or radiance of the divine],
  - and He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God's] nature,
    - Jesus Christ is the perfect blue print of God – All other prints is made from Him
    - The image of a man can be seen in a mirror!
    - When God look in the mirror He sees Jesus Christ – Jesus Christ is God
    - The word ‘image’ here means the character and nature of God
      - Jesus Christ is the exact and perfect character and nature of God
      - If you want to know how God is, just look at Jesus’ character and nature
    - upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power. When He had by offering Himself accomplished our cleansing of sins and riddance of guilt, He sat down at the right hand of the divine Majesty on high,

For God so loved the World

John 3:13 - 17 And yet no one has ever gone up to heaven, but there is One Who has come down from heaven--the Son of Man [Himself], Who is (dwells, has His home) in heaven. 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert [on a pole], so must [so it is necessary that] the Son of Man be lifted up [on the cross], [Num. 21:9] 15 In order that everyone who believes in Him [who cleaves to Him, trusts Him, and relies on Him] may not perish, but have eternal life and [actually] live forever! 16 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.

And yet no one has ever gone up to heaven,
- but there is One Who has come down from heaven
  - the Son of Man [Himself],
    - Who is (dwells, has His home) in heaven.
And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert [on a pole],
- What happened in the desert?
  - The Israelites sinned and poisonous snakes started to bite them
  - They realized they have sinned and asked Moses to ask God to have mercy upon them
  - God told Moses to make a bronze snake and lift it up on a pole
  - When a snake bit an Israelite they had to LOOK UP and gaze upon the snake on the pole
  - Why was the Israelite bitten? They have committed sin!
  - What did they have to DO? What work did they have to do to receive the mercy of God? LOOK UP at the snake on the pole that was lifted up!
  - What does the snake represent? Jesus / sin? SIN!!!
  - WHY did God do what He had done for the Israelites in the Old Testament? Grace and mercy, which is LOVE!
so must [so it is necessary that] the Son of Man be lifted up [on the cross], [Num. 21:9]
In order that everyone who believes in Him
- What must mankind do to be part of what God had promised?
  - They must believe!
  - Truly and from the heart - accept the grace and the goodness of God
- What is faith?
  - [who cleaves to Him, trusts Him, and relies on Him]
- may not perish,
  - When we perish we are cursed and destroyed and go to perdition – separation from God – hell!
  - Does God want people to go to hell?
but have eternal life and [actually] live forever!
- What did God want to give us instead of perdition? Eternal life!
- God wanted to give us LIFE
- God wanted to give us hope again and a reason to live
- God wanted us to live a full and abundant life
- For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world
  - WHY does the apostle John say God did do what He had done?
    - God LOVES us very deeply and greatly values us!
    - We have great value in God’s eyes!
  - Did God change between the Old and the New Testament? No – God STILL loves mankind dearly
  - God dearly and greatly love and greatly prize YOU! YOU ARE VERY SPECIAL TO GOD
  - Everything God did – He did because HE LOVES YOU TODAY!
that He [even] gave up
- His only begotten (unique) Son,
  - May say how could God give up His Son – How could he do that?
  - How would you feel to give up your child whom you love? I would not be able to do it!
  - Why not?
    - Because they are of great value to us
    - We have a great affinity towards them
    - They are our pride and joy!
    - Well that is what God was WILLING to pay for YOU!
  - God actually did not kill His SON, but actually came and DIED HIMSELF in our place!
so that whoever believes in
- (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him
- What does God expect from us so that He can have mercy upon us?
  - To believe what He offers us – Forgiveness of our sins & Eternal life
  - To realize HOW much He loves us
  - To realize the sacrifice He was willing to make for us
  - To realize WHY He did what he did!
- Is God angry at us and only want to punish us and send us to hell? No
- shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost)
  - God sends no one to hell!!!
  - Each person who refuses to accept and value the price Jesus paid sends themselves to hell!!!
but have eternal (everlasting) life.
- We have to realize there is life after death
- There are other dimensions beyond this dimension which are without space and time
- In this world we still have time to decide to accept the love of God and the awesome prize God paid for us to free us legally
For God did not send the Son into the world
- John wanted us to know something and WHY God DID NOT send His son?
- Many have seen God as a harsh God that only expect perfection which is impossible
- Many has a very perverted perspective of God and are therefore afraid of Him
- God want us to know what His motive was NOT!
- in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world,
  - God is not out to just find fault with us
  - We know we have sinned, because of our sin and that brings a feeling of guilt and condemnation up in us
  - Then we fear that God is going to punish us!
  - What are a few responses we could have?
    - We can rebel against God
    - We can say we do not care
    - We can fear God and run away from God
    - We can deceive ourselves and say I am ok my good deeds will make up for my bad
    - We can deny God exists
    - We can change our lives and follow Jesus, because we do not want to go to hell and always feel like I just can’t measure up!
    - We can feel like we are not sure we are going to heaven or hell and become insecure before God and feel like I am not worthy anyway!
- but that the world might find salvation
  - What did God want to give those who accept His love and grace?
  - and be made safe and sound through Him.
    - God offers us salvation! Soteria – No lack and no limitation!
    - Salvation
      - Spirit given life again – reconnection with God, and as a by-product we are saved from hell
      - Soul given peace and freedom again – Conscious made clean and guilt free
      - Body is given healing / health / Prosperous life

You WILL know the Truth

John 8:31-32 So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples. 32 And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.

To Jews who had believed in Him,
- If you
  - abide in My word
  - [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them],
    - In order to live in His Word, we must know His Word
      - When must be filled with the Word of God
      - The Word of God will naturally come out of us
    - Remain constantly in His Word
      - Meditation on the Word builds our relationship with God
    - It has to become a lifestyle of living and practicing the Word of God
    - We do not need to know everything before we can obey the Word of God
    - We need to go and do the Word in faith, then we will see how it works
- you are truly My disciples
  - A true disciple is like his master
  - God’s purpose is for us to be LIKE Jesus
  - Followers of Jesus do what Jesus did with the effectively of Jesus (John 14:8?)
And you will
- know the Truth,
  - To know the Truth = Experiential knowledge
  - Experiential knowledge of God’s word come by practicing it
- and the Truth will set you free
  - Only once we have done the Word and experienced it in reality then we will truly understand it
  - The Truth will always set us free
    - Religion teach only more knowledge and put up more prerequisites, making it more difficult
    - The word of God will set us free on every of life

The parable of the lost son

Luke 15:11-32 And He said, There was a certain man who had two sons; 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the part of the property that falls [to me]. And he divided the estate between them. [Deu. 21:15-17] 13 And not many days after that, the younger son gathered up all that he had and journeyed into a distant country, and there he wasted his fortune in reckless and loose [from restraint] living. 14 And when he had spent all he had, a mighty famine came upon that country, and he began to fall behind and be in want. 15 So he went and forced (glued) himself upon one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed hogs. 16 And he would gladly have fed on and filled his belly with the carob pods that the hogs were eating, but [they could not satisfy his hunger and] nobody gave him anything [better]. [Jer. 30:14] 17 Then when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father have enough food, and [even food] to spare, but I am perishing (dying) here of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; [just] make me like one of your hired servants. 20 So he got up and came to his [own] father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity and tenderness [for him]; and he ran and embraced him and kissed him [fervently]. 21 And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son [I no longer deserve to be recognized as a son of yours]! 22 But the father said to his bond servants, Bring quickly the best robe (the festive robe of honor) and put it on him; and give him a ring for his hand and sandals for his feet. [Gen. 41:42; Zec. 3:4] 23 And bring out that [wheat-]fattened calf and kill it; and let us revel and feast and be happy and make merry, 24 Because this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found! And they began to revel and feast and make merry. 25 But his older son was in the field; and as he returned and came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And having called one of the servant [boys] to him, he began to ask what this meant. 27 And he said to him, Your brother has come, and your father has killed that [wheat-]fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and well. 28 But [the elder brother] was angry [with deep-seated wrath] and resolved not to go in. Then his father came out and began to plead with him, 29 But he answered his father, Look! These many years I have served you, and I have never disobeyed your command. Yet you never gave me [so much as] a [little] kid, that I might revel and feast and be happy and make merry with my friends; 30 But when this son of yours arrived, who has devoured your estate with immoral women, you have killed for him that [wheat-] fattened calf! 31 And the father said to him, Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But it was fitting to make merry, to revel and feast and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and is alive again! He was lost and is found!

Who does the two sons represent? Which one do you think are you?
What is the purpose of this parable (Story with a spiritual meaning)?
- The return of the lost son?
- The love relationship between a father and a son?
- The true character and love of the father towards his son
Why did the son leave his father’s house?
- He wanted to be independent
- He wanted to go and enjoy life
- He wanted to taste life for himself
What does this tell us about the attitude of the son towards His father?
- He did not trust his father
- He did respected his father – He actually wanted his father dead before his time
What did the father do when the son unfairly asked for his inheritance before his father passed away?
- The father gave it to his son
- What does this tell you about the father’s attitude towards his son?
  - God is a gentleman and will NOT force Himself upon any person
  - God has given us a free will and allows us to go do what we want even though it hurts Him!
  - God will not withheld any good thing from us – when we in arrogance demand it from Him!
  - God’s love is revealed even in this that He respects our own choice and allows us to make mistakes
How did the son feel after what he had done?
- The son had remorse and sorrow because of what he has done
- He felt like he was worthy to be a slave
- Do you think he realized what he had done to his father? Yes
- Do you think he realized what he had done towards God? Yes
What did the son have to realize before he could return to his father’s house and to His Father?
- He had to realize that he was in want and in lack!
- Nothing could fill his hunger and search! The pleasure of the world was not good enough anymore!
- He had the realize ALL the benefits he had in His father’s house
- He had to realize the state of his life
- He had to resolve to return to His father’s house (repent)
- He had to get up and do what he had decided
What did the father do while His son was gone?
- He was expectantly waiting for his son
- How do we know this? While he was still a long way off – The father was looking out for the return of his son
What was the father’s response when He saw the son?
- He ran towards him!
- Embraced him
- Kissed him fervently
How did this Father treat his son?
- He gave him his best!!!
- He greatly valued him!
- He gave him His most precious!
- He treated him like a loved son!
Did this father threat this son like he deserved? Was he angry at him? NO!!!
Why did this Father treat his son like this? He greatly loved His son!
What is this parable all about for you?
Who does the father represent in this story? God the loving Father!
Is this the way you see God as you father?
Which son are you? The first or the second!?

God first loved us

1John 4:16-19 And we know (understand, recognize, are conscious of, by observation and by experience) and believe (adhere to and put faith in and rely on) the love God cherishes for us. God is love, and he who dwells and continues in love dwells and continues in God, and God dwells and continues in him. 17 In this [union and communion with Him] love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him], because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love's complete perfection]. 19 We love Him, because He first loved us.

And we know
- (understand, recognize, are conscious of, by observation and by experience)
- There are two types of knowing:
  - Knowing by knowledge
  - Knowing by experience
and believe
- When we do not yet have experience of God’s love we must believe what the Word says about God’s love
- (adhere to and put faith in and rely on)
  - the love God cherishes for us.
    - God loves us very much!
    - When we cherish something we consider it very valuable!
God is love,
- When we look at love we look at it as an attribute of our character
- God is not like that – Love in NOT God’s attribute – IT is who or what God IS!
- God does not try to love – God IS LOVE!
- and he who dwells and continues in love dwells and continues in God,
  - and God dwells and continues in him.
    - Do you want to know whether you live in God and God lives in you? Like in love!
    - What does it mean to live in love?
      - Everything we do and says is done out of love
- In this [union and communion with Him]
  - When we live in love we ARE already in union and even communion with God
  - To live in love is to live in communication with God
  - love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us,
    - When we live in love God reaches His purpose He has always had with us!
    - that we may have confidence for the day of judgment
      - [with assurance and boldness to face Him],
      - When we are loved we can live in acceptance and can have confidence
      - Many people are trying to find their identity in the things they do
      - Those who are loved have confidence and just have identity in God’s love for them
      - When we have confidence we can pray to God with assurance that we are heard and God always answers our prayers
- because as He is, so are we in this world.
  - Where is Jesus now? In heaven / In us
  - Where are we now? On earth
  - We ARE now here on earth JUST as Jesus NOW is and how He was while He was on earth!
  - We ARE the Love of God on earth!
- There is no fear in love [dread does not exist],
  - There is now fear where there is love!
  - Love and fear cannot exist together
  - but full-grown (complete, perfect) love
    - Our love must grow up to become mature
    - What is mature love?
      - Perfectly unconditional love
      - and perfect security and identity in God’s love
    - turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror!
      - The way to overcome evil coming against our lives is by allowing LOVE to drive out the enemy and all his works!
      - Love is a power that destroys the work of the enemy in our lives
- For fear brings with it the thought of punishment,
  - Why do we fear God? Because we are afraid of going to hell
  - Rather than to fear God, we should greatly respect and honor because of His loves for us
  - and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love
    - [is not yet grown into love's complete perfection].
    - When we still have fear in situations due to our circumstances or sickness we are not confident in God’s love for us!
    - We must come to a place where we are not moved by fear, but are always only motivated by God’s love for us and our love for people
    - If we still have fear or are afraid then we have not YET become mature spiritually
    - True spiritual maturity is to be so filled and only moved and motivated by love in all we say and do
We love Him, because He first loved us.
- This is VERY important! It is NOT that we love God so much that He accepts us as if we deserve His love
- No – God was the first to initiate and the first to LOVE us, even before we loved Him

God demonstrated His love for us

Rom 5:6 - 10 While we were yet in weakness [powerless to help ourselves], at the fitting time Christ died for (in behalf of) the ungodly. 7 Now it is an extraordinary thing for one to give his life even for an upright man, though perhaps for a noble and lovable and generous benefactor someone might even dare to die. 8 But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us. 9 Therefore, since we are now justified (acquitted, made righteous, and brought into right relationship with God) by Christ's blood, how much more [certain is it that] we shall be saved by Him from the indignation and wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more [certain], now that we are reconciled, that we shall be saved (daily delivered from sin's dominion) through His [resurrection] life.

While we were yet in weakness
- How was man weakened? What weakened man? Sin
- We must understand that we were weakened by sin
- [powerless to help ourselves],
  - We were unable to saved or help ourselves
  - Have you ever felt powerless to overcome sin? Yes!
at the fitting time Christ died for (in behalf of)
- This was why Jesus Christ died for mankind
- the ungodly.
  - Jesus did NOT die for a world that perfectly loved and accepted Him
  - Jesus died for sinners who had no hope and were actually hostile to God in their thinking
  - They were not trying to live a holy and acceptable life, trying to please God
  - They were not living the way God wanted then to live – godly or like God!
Now it is an extraordinary thing for
- one to give his life even for an upright man,
- though perhaps for a noble and lovable and generous benefactor someone might even dare to die.
  - When someone give their lives to save someone we consider that extreme bravery and make them a national hero
  - It is easy to die for a good man who does not deserve to die!
  - It is easy to die for a person who are worthy to die for
But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us
- Why did God choose to allow His Son to die for you on a cross?
  - It was a demonstration of His love for you
  - If you ever doubt that God loves you – just LOOK at the cross!!!
  - Is God still angry at you, if He paid such an expensive price for you, while you were still a sinner?
- by the fact that while we were still sinners,
  - God send Christ to die for us because we so earnestly sought Him
  - In His great love for us, God sent Christ Jesus to die for people who were no looking for or appreciated what He had done for them
  - Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us.
Therefore, since we are now justified
- What did Jesus pay for? To set us free / To forgive our sins / Just as if I’d never sinned
- Why was Jesus willing to pay this price for you? Because God so loves you!
- (acquitted, made righteous, and brought into right relationship with God)
  - God loved us so much that He paid a price not only to save you
  - God desired a relationship between you and Him therefore He made you to be RIGHT again
  - God paid to bring you back into a place where there is peace between you and Him
    - by Christ's blood,
      - Jesus Christ is God in the flesh
      - Jesus represent God on the earth and the way God feels about us
      - Through Jesus’ brutal death, which He willingly gave up for us, Jesus showed His immense love for us!
      - If we doubt whether God loves we all we have to do is to see JESUS who loves us always and died for us
- how much more [certain is it that]
  - Paul want to ascertain us, if God did this - how much more would He not do for us whom He loves so much
  - we shall be saved by Him from the indignation and wrath of God.
    - We will not only be saved and forgiven from our sins
    - We will be saved from the wrath of God that comes against sin
    - We will be saved from hell and eternal destruction
For if while we were enemies
- Paul stresses, that it was NOT while we loved God,
  - but rather while we were actually God’s enemies that God did these things for us, whom He loves
- we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son,
  - If God was willing to do this while we were enemies towards Him, what would he not do when we accept Him and the love He has for us?
it is much more [certain],
- now that we are reconciled,
  - that we shall be saved (daily delivered from sin's dominion)
  - Those who accept His love and mercy will daily be saved
  - We are going to need daily salvation after we have been saved and forgiven from our sins
  - We must daily remind ourselves of the immense love of God that He has for us that He even saved us while we were in a lost state, why would He not continue to save us now that we have turned towards Him
    - through His [resurrection] life.

Jesus willingly gave His life

John 10:17-18 For this [reason] the Father loves Me, because I lay down My [own] life--to take it back again. 18 No one takes it away from Me. On the contrary, I lay it down voluntarily. [I put it from Myself.] I am authorized and have power to lay it down (to resign it) and I am authorized and have power to take it back again. These are the instructions (orders) which I have received [as My charge] from My Father.

For this [reason] the Father loves Me,
- God the Father loves Jesus who is God in the flesh
- God loves Jesus because He remained / abide in the Word of His Father
- because I lay down My [own] life--to take it back again.
  - Jesus Christ loved and loves us so much that He laid down His life for us
  - He was willing to give His life for our lives / freedom / deliverance / healing
- No one takes it away from Me.
  - Jesus did not suffer under the hand of men, because He was forced to endure the cross
On the contrary,
- I lay it down voluntarily. [I put it from Myself.]
  - It was Jesus’ choice to suffer, pay the price and lay down His life for mankind
  - Jesus did this willingly and not out of compulsion
  - Jesus did this purely out of love for me and you
- I am authorized and have power to lay it down (to resign it)
- and I am authorized and have power to take it back again.
These are the instructions (orders) which I have received [as My charge] from My Father.
- Jesus did this out of His own will, because it was the exact same heart and desire God had for mankind
- Jesus and the Father perfectly agree in their love for me and you

Christ’s love for us

Eph 5:2 And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance. [Eze. 20:41]

And walk in love,
- Paul the apostle gives us a command to walk in love
- When we walk in love it is a constant lifestyle of living motived by love and out of love!
- [esteeming and delighting in one another]
as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us,
- We are to walk in love just as Jesus Christ loved us
- Jesus dearly loved and great cherished us so much - to die for us
- a slain offering and sacrifice to God
  - [for you,
    - so that it became] a sweet fragrance. [Eze. 20:41]
      - Jesus’ life of love was a pleasing aroma to God
      - When we live a life of LOVE we also are a pleasing aroma to God
      - Then we are true sons of God, just like Jesus is the Son of God

God’s love lead us to repentance

Rom 2:3-4 And do you think or imagine, O man, when you judge and condemn those who practice such things and yet do them yourself, that you will escape God's judgment and elude His sentence and adverse verdict? 4 Or are you [so blind as to] trifle with and presume upon and despise and underestimate the wealth of His kindness and forbearance and long-suffering patience? Are you unmindful or actually ignorant [of the fact] that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repent (to change your mind and inner man to accept God's will)?

And do you think or imagine, O man,
- when you judge and condemn those who practice such things and yet do them yourself,
  - that you will escape God's judgment and elude His sentence and adverse verdict?
    - The context of this scripture is very important to correctly understand what Paul was trying to convey
    - The letter to the church of Rome was written because Paul was dealing with a problem
    - The Jews believers in Rome wanted the gentile believers to keep the law
    - Paul is writing his letter to those who judge others, because they do not keep the law
    - Paul is convicting believers who want other believers to keep the law, even though they themselves break the law
    - It is impossible to perfectly keep the law – only Jesus perfectly kept the law!
    - Many people today wants to start keeping the laws, which were given to the Israelites, trying to please God
Or are you [so blind
- When people try to keep the law they become blinded by the law
- Those who pride themselves of keeping the law fall into trap of self-righteousness
- In comparing themselves with other people these people justify themselves and find fault with others
- as to] trifle with and presume upon and despise and underestimate
  - It is hard for people to believe and realize that God can be so gracious to them
  - Without knowing it – they push the grace God, which He, in His great love for them, showed them, aside, trying to be righteous in their own effort and righteousness
  - the wealth of His kindness and forbearance and long-suffering patience?
    - God’s rich store house of kindness and love for us is revealed through His patience towards us
    - We must realize that God’s love for us is inexhaustible and cannot run dry
Are you unmindful or actually ignorant [of the fact]
- that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repent
  - God’s love and kindness is not like the law of judgment
  - God does not want us to be motivated by fear of judgment and condemnation
  - God wants us to realize His immense love for us and allow His goodness and kindness to cause us to change our lives
  - God want us to be motivated by His love for us, and not live for Him out of fear!
  - (to change your mind and inner man to accept God's will)?
    - Repentance is not what many think it is!
    - Many see repentance out of a perspective of fear and repent out of fear of God
    - True repentance is to truly change the way we used to think of God as our enemy and stop be rebellious out of fear, but follow Jesus because of God’s love demonstrated through Jesus giving up His life for us!

God’s Love compel us

2Cor 5:12-13 For if we are beside ourselves [mad, as some say], it is for God and concerns Him; if we are in our right mind, it is for your benefit, 14 For the love of Christ controls and urges and impels us, because we are of the opinion and conviction that [if] One died for all, then all died;

For if we are beside ourselves [mad, as some say],
- We should not be more concerned about pleasing men than God
- We should not be too concerned when men label us super spiritual and no earthly good
- it is for God and concerns Him;
  - We are not serving man but God, who knows our hearts and the intention of our hearts!
if we are in our right mind,
- We must not only be spiritual but also learn to be practical and so help people to grow spiritually
- We are called to be servants and to serve people, but not please people
- We do not only live for ourselves
- it is for your benefit,
For the love of Christ controls and urges and impels us,
- What is your motivation and why you do what you do?
- What is you greatest driving force in life!?
- What do you live for?
- When we realize the immense, unconditional love of God, which He first had for us, it will change our lives
- Love will become our driving force and give us a power that will never run dry
- because we are of the opinion and conviction
  - In order to have a deep conviction about something we must search and examine the scriptures so that faith can arise in our hearts
  - Conviction comes from personal faith in the Word and the promise of God
  - We must have a deep conviction of God the Father’s and Jesus’ unconditional love for us
  - that [if] One died for all,
    - then all died;
      - Jesus died for us out of love for us.
      - Jesus loved us so much that He died so that we could die to the old man

The New Commandment

John 15:9 -10 I have loved you, [just] as the Father has loved Me; abide in My love [continue in His love with Me]. 10 If you keep My commandments [if you continue to obey My instructions], you will abide in My love and live on in it, just as I have obeyed My Father's commandments and live on in His love. 11 I have told you these things, that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy and gladness may be of full measure and complete and overflowing. 12 This is My commandment: that you love one another [just] as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you keep on doing the things which I command you to do.

I have loved you,
- [just] as the Father has loved Me;
- God loves Jesus Christ like His own Son!
- Jesus’ love for us just like the Father in heaven loved Him
- Mankind had a wrong perspective of God and did not realize that God actually loves them very much!
- That was why Jesus came, to show us God’s love in and through Jesus Christ His Son
  - abide in My love [continue in His love with Me].
    - Jesus wants us to consistently remain living and being motivated by God’s love for us
    - We must become love, by living in love!
If you keep My commandments
- [if you continue to obey My instructions],
  - you will abide in My love and live on in it,
    - The Word of God is motivated by God’s love for us
    - When we obey the Word we should do it out of love
    - We must always remember and know that God has given to us His Word out of love
    - Jesus is the Word and is Love AND Jesus is God!
- just as I have obeyed My Father's commandments
  - and live on in His love.
    - When we obey and live according to God’s Word, then we also continue to live in God’s love for us and are able to love other with the love in us
I have told you these things,
- that My joy and delight may be in you,
  - and that your joy and gladness may be of full measure and complete and overflowing.
    - When we do the Word of God we will experience immense joy and fulfilment
    - If we do not feel that way, we must ask ourselves why we do what we do?
    - Doing the Word of God will bring immense fulfilment!
This is My commandment:
- that you love one another
  - [just] as I have loved you.
    - Jesus has given us a new command
    - What was the old command? Love God and you neighbor as you love yourself
    - The Old Covenant was based on man having to save himself
      - Man had to love and love His neighbor
    - In the New Covenant we must love others as Jesus loved us
    - It is NOT that we loved Jesus first, but that Jesus loved us first
    - No one has greater love
      - Do you really realize what it cost Jesus to buy your freedom?
      - Who would give up his life for you?
      - Who would you be willing to give up your life for?
    - [no one has shown stronger affection]
      - than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends.
        
        Jesus love us so much that He calls us His friends
        
        There was only two people in the bible that was called friends of God: Moses & Abraham
      - You are My friends if you keep on doing the things
        
        Jesus also turn this statement around
        
        This truth work in both directions:
        
        We are loved and pleasing to God, therefore He laid down His life for us
        
        BECAUSE we appreciate what Jesus had done, because He loves us, we want to obey His heart’s desire
which I command you to do.

Practical

Love must and can be the only driving force that will sustain a Christian throughout His entire life of following Jesus Christ

To ensure this these scriptures must be read, meditated upon and believed

Go through each verse and ask yourself whether you truly believe what the Word of God says about God’s love for you?

If you can only understand the truth, without experience, ask God to deeply touch your heart with His love
Identify WHAT thoughts makes it hard for you to believe that God loves you?
Identify the feelings that makes it hard to experience the love of God?

Sift every thought that you think through filter of God’s immense love for you!

Believe the Word of God OVER your lack of understanding or logic or bad experiences in the past

Study the Word and search for what the Word of God says about God’s love in the Old and New Testament

Declare the truth of God’s love over yourself

Surround yourself with people who are motivated by God’s love for them and has a strong identity in God’s love for them

You were made to love, when you do this you will learn to experience God’s love for people.

Start to go out and love and serve people!

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