Post by Cindy on Jun 14, 2017 7:54:43 GMT -5
“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,” (Ephesians 2:4)
The greatest measuring rod of love in the life of a Christian may be forgiveness. That’s because God showed His love to us in terms of forgiveness. The Bible could have taught us that God so loved the world that He made pretty flowers or trees or mountains. But it teaches that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). He gave His Son to forgive us. That certainly shows God’s love more than flowers, trees, or mountains.
Measure your love. Ask yourself, Do I love? If you don’t, you are not one of God’s own because the children of God love others (1 John 4:7–8). How can you know whether you are characterized by love? Ask yourself, Am I bitter toward someone because of something he did to me? Do I often get angry with people, either externally or internally? Do I speak maliciously behind people’s backs? Those are characteristics of your old lifestyle—characteristics you must get rid of in order to love and forgive others.
MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace
The greatest measuring rod of love in the life of a Christian may be forgiveness. That’s because God showed His love to us in terms of forgiveness. The Bible could have taught us that God so loved the world that He made pretty flowers or trees or mountains. But it teaches that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). He gave His Son to forgive us. That certainly shows God’s love more than flowers, trees, or mountains.
Measure your love. Ask yourself, Do I love? If you don’t, you are not one of God’s own because the children of God love others (1 John 4:7–8). How can you know whether you are characterized by love? Ask yourself, Am I bitter toward someone because of something he did to me? Do I often get angry with people, either externally or internally? Do I speak maliciously behind people’s backs? Those are characteristics of your old lifestyle—characteristics you must get rid of in order to love and forgive others.
MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace
!!
