Love is Action

 Love requires action 

Hello. Welcome, today. What would you think, or what would come to mind, if you walked in here and I got on stage and said "I love you."? Some of you would think of a Televangelist. You know, those TV preachers that constantly tell you "I love you." with their hand out. Some of you may even think about "Brother Love." Some of you get that reference. Some think it is just something preachers have to say. You know, God is love and all that.

Why is it so hard for some to accept the authenticity of a preacher, or a stranger to them, saying "I love you."? Because it has been their experience that those kinds of people SAY "I love you." is not authentic. They say it, but what do they actually do?

It is true by the way. I do love you. Why? Because Jesus gave us the 11th Commandment.

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." John 13:34

This is what we will be discussing coming up here at TAG.

1- God so loved us.

2- We are to love one another.

3- We are to love our enemies.

Well? What does this actually mean? "Just as I have loved you?" Let's start at the beginning.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made."John 1:1-3

A little later we read this.

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14

God, who is the Word, who became flesh? Jesus, who is God, did what for us? That's right. He came to die for us. Why? Because He loves us.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." John 3:16-18

Did we deserve this? Did we earn this? Was there any reason whatsoever that we received this other than the fact God loves us so?

"For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person, though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die, but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:6-8

God created all things that ever was, is, or ever will be. He gave us authority over it all. There was no sin. No sickness. No suffering. We, in turn, gave our authority away to satan and brought forth sin, suffering, and death into the world.

"Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death." James 1:15

The end result of sin is death. Therefore, the only way we can escape death is that someone worthy had to die for us. The only one that is worthy is God Himself.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23

Jesus said,

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." John 13:34

How did Jesus love us? He died for us. He could have wiped us out. He could have just started over. Even though He told Noah He would never flood the earth again, does not mean He could not change His mind. He is GOD!

No. He loved us. He loved us so much that He became like one of us. He allowed His own creation to torture and kill Him. He did something out of His love for us. What should we do for those we claim to love? ANYTHING! EVERYTHING! We should go so far as to lay down our very lives if need be. Why? That is true love.

"Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned, for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come." Romans 5:12-14

The only way that sin could be conquered was to have an ultimate and final sacrifice. Through one man, Adam came sin, suffering, and death. One man, had to be a man, a perfect man, a God-man, salvation was brought into the world, and grace through faith in that one man. Jesus.

"But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. The judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ."

He was the only one who could even possibly stand a chance of living a sin-free life. He was born of a virgin and not through sin or the deeds of the flesh. He was righteousness in all unrighteousness. He was the spotless lamb. All for one reason and one alone. To be the final sacrifice.

"For this reason, the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have the authority to lay it down, and I have the authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father." John 10:17-18

Remember, Jesus IS God. The alpha and the omega. The begging and the end. The creator of all that is. No one could take His life if He did not allow it. Look what He told Peter when they came to arrest Him. Knowing what was about to happen. Knowing full well He was about to die, He said this.

"Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?" Matthew 26:53-54

It was because of His love that He allowed everything that happened to Him to happen. Keep this in mind, He even prayed for the forgiveness of those that did all these horrible things as He was taking His last breath.

"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34

This is the love He loved for us. He tells us that we should love as He loved us. Starting with loving one another. More on that next time. 

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, You shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature.

If you want to tell me, comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!