January/February 2012

 

“Love makes the world go ‘round” or so the song goes. Many songs have been written about love, including one called “Endless Love”, as if love between two human beings would really go on that long! One would get the impression from films and literature that a meaningful life is all about finding your “one true love.” But when it comes right down to it, loving someone else for a lifetime is challenging. Why? We misunderstand what true love really is. We think it’s all about this tingly feeling we get when we think of that “special someone.” What happens when the feeling is gone? Does that mean we are not in love anymore? To be sure, emotion is involved in true love. But there is a deeper meaning to love. God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son Jesus Christ to pay the penalty of death that we deserved for our sins and offenses against God. John 3:16- “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus told His close followers nearly 2,000 years ago that no one has greater love than the one who would die (lay down his life) for his friends. John 15:13- “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” He also told us that everyone would know that we are His followers if we love each other. John 13:35- “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples (followers), if you love one another.” He even told us to love our enemies! Luke 6:28- “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” It’s kind of hard to keep hating someone that you keep praying for regularly. However, this is love we are supposed to have for others. This is true love! Just imagine how many more marriages would last, how fewer fights would break out in our schools, how wars would decrease, if we would love like Christ tells us to love. How can we do that? You have to be a true believer and follower of Christ. How do we become a true believer and follower of Christ? First, admit to God that you sin and do wrong. Compared to others you might look pretty good, but compared to a perfect God, even our best is not good enough. Romans 3:23- “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Next, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ alone for your eternal salvation (not only taking us to Heaven some day, but keeping us from the eternal punishment we all deserve in hell). John 3:16 tells us “whoever believes shall not perish but have eternal life.” Third, tell others about your new faith in Christ for salvation! Last, but not least, learn how to become a follower of Jesus Christ by going to church (like this one) and studying the Holy Bible, God’s Word. Please, contact our church if we can help you in your new life in Christ!

 

Pastor Rob Laing