Howdy. Gather around and lets talk about reading the Bible. Have you ever heard the old saying that B.I.B.L.E stands for Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth? While that is not really what it stands for it is a good acronym. The Bible is all of that and so much more.
The Bible is a history book, story book, genealogy book, law book and love story. While all of these are important the love story is the most important!
The Bible teaches us that God loved us so much that He would do anything to bring man and woman back to Himself. Everyone should be familiar with John 3:16, For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. Did you read that and did your comprehend that? You can read something and not comprehend it.
Although God loves us, there is a part that we have to do to achieve this promise. Let's break it down. For God so loved the world. That is the reason for salvation. That He gave His only begotten Son. Notice that when God loves, He gives. He gives freely to you and me knowing that He may not receive love back. So by loving us, He gives by putting His love in motion. That whosoever believes in Him. Here is your part. He's asking for you faith and love. Notice He is not forcing or demanding but asking for your love and belief. What are you going to do? Shall not perish but have everlasting life. There is your reward.
I tell you all of this to now explain what love is. Well you say I know what love is. I love my family and friends. If that is true, give me the definition of love. Well before you start breaking out Webster's let me tell you the perfect definition of love. If you have your Bible turn to 1 Corinthians 13:4 -8. I'm not going to type it out for you what it says so dust off your Bible and look it up. This is what love is all about.
Now that you know what love is you realize that Jesus is all of these things described in 1Corinthians 13. If we are truly a disciple of Jesus (remember there is a difference between being a Sunday Christian and a disciple of Jesus), then as a servant of Jesus we are to practice the definition of love to one another. This doesn't mean just on the people that we choose to practice on but on every living soul that God put on this earth. You say how am I suppose to love someone like Osama bin Laden. Well even though Osama didn't act on what the stipulation was in John 3:16, Jesus loved Him enough to die for him to. Wow! Someone as cruel as Osama and Jesus loved him enough to die for him. Jesus didn't say we have to like what the person does, but in the book of John 13:34-35, Jesus says, "A new commandment I give to you, that you LOVE one another, even as I have LOVED you, that you LOVE one another. By this all men will know that you are My DISCIPLES, if you have love for one another.
Jesus didn't say being a disciple of His was going to be easy, but He did promise us great rewards if we just follow Him.
Well until next time, practice loving someone. The more you practice the better you get at it. Keep you saddles cinched and may your trials be smooth.
