2021-12-31
Good Morning Dear Ones,
Yet another aspect of agape (love) is this communication between Christ and the Father concerning protection of believers. JN 17: 11-16, (Christ praying), “I will remain in the world no longer, but they (believers) are still in the world, and I am coming to You, Holy Father, protect them by the power of Your name—the name You gave Me—so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name You gave Me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. I am coming to You now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. I have given them Your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.” Christ goes on to say that God’s word is truth, with which He blesses believers, that they may be truly blessed. He prays for believers and potential believers, who will come to faith through hearing God’s word. Christ expresses His hope in the oneness between the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, and all who believe. Christ rehearses the love the Father has had for Him because He was loved before the creation of the world. The world doesn’t know the Father, but Christ prays all believers will know Himself and the Father. Christ has made the Father known to believers so that He may be in them, and the Father’s and His agape will be in them.
If a person is going to convince another to allow his entire life to be altered this way, to encourage him to faithfully obey God, the question: “What is in it for me” must be addressed. That is because it is natural to think about this issue. We have an innate desire to preserve our lives, except when mental illness is present. That is why the Father spreads His word to us, so that question can be answered. I remember being at a low point in my life when ending it all crossed my mind. Then, I was exposed to the Father’s teaching about gaining eternal life. That changed my entire attitude. I belong to a family who thinks my Judeo-Christianity is just an “emotional crutch” to help people get through the trials of their lives. That’s where faith-building becomes important. Our lives are not just about money or other kinds of material things; there are many more spiritual goals that bring us either to or away from eternal life. Nor are our lives all a series of legalistic lock steps to being spiritual. JN 7: 6, “But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.” We were once bound to sin but now have been freed from its ugly stranglehold. I consider this new freedom to obey faithfully Christ’s teaching, a gift of God’s agape for us. When we can see that Christ told us the truth and always does, then the Father’s and His love is in us, and we can understand that God sent Christ to this world.
Faith-building is vastly important. It is what gives normally impatient humans the wherewithal to be patient and to wait for God’s perfect time for the Lord to separate the “sheep from the goats” [JN 25: 32] and to demonstrate His protection of us from the evil one. 2 THESS 2: 3, “Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness (the antichrist) is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.” 2 THESS 3: 3, “But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” As the worst part of the rebellion is about to begin and the 7th seal opened, God’s power is enough to stop things for half an hour. Thereupon His seal of protection will be put on the foreheads of all His faithful servants (believers), so that they will be protected from the Lord’s dispatch of the earth. Yes, Dear Readers, there is nothing so precious as His agape for those who believe in His teaching through His Son, Jesus Christ! Read RO 8: 38-39 and believe it.
PRAYER: O Lord, it is one thing to read words and move on without allowing them to be seen and understood by the brain, sink down to settle in the heart, and extend to one’s hands and body in service to the Lord. The alternative is what puts us on the road to eternal life. Our feelings and beliefs matter. There is no such thing as a stupid reverently asked question. Sometimes it takes us much emotional and spiritual growth before we can really see clearly the importance of having faith and building it in others. Of course, there are times when we are not the right person to deliver God’s Gospel message and His other teachings. That is when it’s necessary to pray fervently that the right person who can get the job done will come along. One thing we can all count on is that You will listen to every prayer offered in sincerity. It is Your wisdom that leads us to the right people with whom we should share the Gospel message. That same wisdom leads us to set an example of goodness, forgiveness, and humility. You also bring us into the presence of people who help forward our spiritual maturity. When we turn to You, things fall into place in our lives, and we can honor You. We thank and praise You for always loving us, protecting us, and hearing our prayers. We offer this prayer in the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ.
NEXT WEEK: Next week, we will examine ways Christ expresses His love for us. As those who read my devotions regularly know, I’ve gone through some huge changes in my life recently. My dear husband, Peter, passed away, I moved in with my son and his family, and we all moved to a larger home to accommodate a family of four. We are going through the huge undertaking of unpacking our belongings and getting settled in the new home. The process for me has been like living in a tornado that has lasted 5 months. In addition, I am dealing with some health issues that led me to participate in a weigh management program. So many changes, so much that is new to learn! Despite being in my late 70’s, I have a lot to learn. Yet, God’s agape is with me throughout these experiences. I can feel His presence and accept His direction. I miss my husband of 44 years very much. Yet I’m finding there is still a lot to live for and good things ahead to anticipate. The gift of God’s love for me and all who believe is precious and something one should appreciate. His timing, His methods, His direction, and His presence in our lives makes them so worthwhile. Praise and thanks be to Him!
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn
JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2021. All Rights Reserved.
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