Week 52: Knowing God - His Love (Part 3)

Last week, we see the story of Peter in the Bible. After spending 3 and half years with Jesus, Peter finally see the aspect of love from the Lord. And yet today, we say love is basic and law is deep and we got to go deep into the ten commandments. On the contrary, law is basic. The first time Peter met Jesus and saw His power to bring in the load sinking fishes, he was much aware of Jesus holiness. But, after 3 and half years with Jesus and failing big time, he did not run away from Jesus. Why? Because he was not looking at Jesus holiness, but was drawn to His love. Amen! And by doing so, he became a great vessel for the kingdom of God. Only when we can see and be touched the love of God, we can be empowered to do great things for His kingdom, Amen!

Peter in the Bible represent a certain type of believer in the Christianity today. He was loud, self righteous and always speak of his love for God. "Love God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind." This is what Jesus said, summarizing the totality of the law. But, that doesn't mean He want us to do that, because He know we can't. But, why does He mention then?  In Mat 24:34-38 we can see this phrase spoken by Jesus.



Notice the context of this passage. The Pharisees and Sadducees were out to test Jesus. The Pharisees and Sadducees were law keepers, but only to the extend of keepable in their own efforts. (Btw the difference between Pharisees and Sadducees is Pharisees believe in resurrection, whereas Sadducees did not believe in resurrection.) Here, instead of compromising, Jesus upheld the Law to its highest standard.

Why? Jesus is not here to demolish the Law, instead to upkeep it to the purest, highest form. God is not against us keeping the Law just like Pharisees. In fact, God gave the Law! But, the Pharisees kept the Law to a level it is keepable. But, Law should not be compromised and unbending. If it is compromised or bend, it is no longer Law. So, in the face of the Pharisees and Sadducees, Jesus presented the Law to the highest state, so that they will know that they can never keep the Law and realize they need a Savior. The Bible says in Romans 10:4

Romans 10:4(AMP)

4 For Christ is the end of the Law [the limit at which it ceases to be, for the Law leads up to Him Who is the fulfillment of its types, and in Him the purpose which it was designed to accomplish is fulfilled. That is, the purpose of the Law is fulfilled in Him] as the means of righteousness (right relationship to God) for everyone who trusts in and adheres to and relies on Him.

Here it says Christ is the fulfillment of Law. Therefore, we DO NOT go back to ten commandments.

Why? Because the ten commandments is self-focus, self-righteous (Do not steal, Do not covet...etc) The passage clearly says that the purpose of Law is fulfilled in Him as the means of righteousness for everyone who trusts in Him, adheres in Him, relies on Him. In other words, we have righteousness when we trust in Him, we adhere in Him, we rely on Him. Hallelujah!

How can? This is called the gift of righteousness. It is a gift , we do not need to work to earn it... If we do work and try to earn it, it is called self-righteous. Then, we are back to Law. Let be very clear about this. Let's go to Romans 5:17

Roman 5:17(AMP)

17 For if because of one man’s (Adam) trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one (Adam), much more surely will those who receive [God’s] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

Very clear here, grace, favor, gift of righteousness (or right standing with God) are all on our side as long as we trust in Him, adhere in Him and rely on Him. Amen! Hallelujah!
What about the Law? Don't we need to know them? Paul said those who depend on the Law are under a curse and doom for destruction! It is in the Bible, let's go to Galatians 3:10-14

Galatians 3:10-14 (AMP)

10 And all who depend on the Law [who are seeking to be justified by obedience to the Law of rituals] are under a curse and doomed to disappointment and destruction, for it is written in the Scriptures, Cursed (accursed, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment) be everyone who does not continue to abide (live and remain) by all the precepts and commands written in the Book of the Law and to practice them.

11 Now it is evident that no person is justified (declared righteous and brought into right standing with God) through the Law, for the Scripture says, The man in right standing with God [the just, the righteous] shall live by and out of faith and he who through and by faith is declared righteous and in right standing with God shall live.

12 But the Law does not rest on faith [does not require faith, has nothing to do with faith], for it itself says, He who does them [the things prescribed by the Law] shall live by them [not by faith].

13 Christ purchased our freedom [redeeming us] from the curse (doom) of the Law [and its condemnation] by [Himself] becoming a curse for us, for it is written [in the Scriptures], Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree (is crucified);

14 To the end that through [their receiving] Christ Jesus, the blessing [promised] to Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, so that we through faith might [all] receive [the realization of] the promise of the [Holy] Spirit.

Today, we live by the covenant of His love. It is His love that today, we are no longer under the curse of the Law, it is His love that we say we are the righteousness of God in Christ. It is His love, unearned, unmerited, undeserved favor of God is on our side. But I don't deserve it? That's right. His favor is for the undeserved.

Does that mean that we can now become lawless? Certainty not, because we are already dead to sin when Jesus hang on the cross, how can we live any longer in it? When we become aware of His love for us, we will be empowered to love. At times we sinned or fall, we pick ourselves up and move on In Christ we are made righteous, that sin cannot change our status from righteous to a sinner, Amen! If it can, then Christ has not done a perfect work at the cross!

In this covenant of love, we love our spouse that's why we do not commit adultery. We can be focusing on the Law and yet not love our spouse. Our human flesh has a rebellion nature as a result of Adam's sin. When we focus on the Law, it will stir up that rebellion in us. That's why Apostle Paul said when we are under Law, we are under a curse.

Let's practice His love instead. The more we conscious about His love, we more we can rule and reign in life! Amen! And you know something, that's what Apostle John did. Instead of saying "the disciple that love the Lord greatly", he would often say in the Gospel He wrote "the disciple whom Jesus love". Notice the difference. One is self-conscious, whereas the latter is God-conscious.

At the cross, the disciple whom Jesus love, John was there to do Him service. And John is the one who had a revelation of Jesus and wrote the Book of Revelation, the last book of the Bible. This is because he practiced the love of God in him.

Today, we can do the same and practice His love for us. Let learn to love one another because first and foremost we are conscious of and are filled with His everlasting love for us. Amen!



Grace, love and peace be with you always!



Shalom,
Bro