LOVE HIM
by Lahry Sibley
An obvious characteristic of love is that it takes pleasure in its object. And so it is with YEHOVAH who takes pleasure in HIS creation. See, when HE created all things, the strain, if you will, was not what to create, but how to contain it all in one tiny speck of HIS "world" we call the universe. We look at creation in awe, and well we should. But HE looks at it as something to take pleasure in, and HE is quite comfortable to manage all living things at any given point in time.
It is one thing to stand in awe of creation. And I do. But how much more, for the CREATOR of all things?
HE has a right to rule and reign over your life and mine. Yet HE gives us the freedom to choose to take pleasure in our love for HIM, or to take pleasure in brief moments of self will and rebellion. (sin). Love that is fueled with pleasure, is also love that is honored in OBEDIENCE and FIDELITY (faithfulness). NEW LIFE OBEDIENCE. But if obedience is based upon governmental restraint or religious obligation, what kind of love is that? Love is not legal, Love is the passion of admiration and appreciation for the object of our love.
Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
That sounds simple enough for me.......
1 John 3:1 See what [an incredible] quality of love the Father has given (shown, bestowed on) us, that we should [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are! The reason that the world does not know (recognize, acknowledge) us is that it does not know (recognize, acknowledge) Him.
2 Beloved, we are [even here and] now God’s children; it is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be [hereafter], but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall [as God’s children] resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He [really] is.
3 And everyone who has this hope [resting] on Him cleanses (purifies) himself just as He is pure (chaste, undefiled, guiltless).
4 Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; for [that is what] sin is, lawlessness (the breaking, violating of God’s law by transgression or neglect””being unrestrained and unregulated by His commands and His will).
5 You know that He appeared in visible form and became Man to take away [upon Himself] sins, and in Him there is no sin [essentially and forever].
6 No one who abides in Him [who lives and remains in communion with and in obedience to Him””deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] commits sin. No one who [habitually] sins has either seen or known Him [recognized, perceived, or understood Him, or has had an experiential acquaintance with Him].
It's not complicated.
2 John 2:3 And this is how we may discern [daily, by experience] that we are coming to know Him [to perceive, recognize, understand, and become better acquainted with Him]: if we keep (bear in mind, observe, practice) His teachings (precepts, commandments).
4 Whoever says, I know Him [I perceive, recognize, understand, and am acquainted with Him] but fails to keep and obey His commandments (teachings) is a liar, and the Truth [of the Gospel] is not in him.
Who do you love? Is your life a sacrifice for the object of your love?