February 2010 – From the Pastor

“He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall
He not with Him freely give us all things?” Romans 8:32
“God is Love” I John 4:8,16

When theologians speak of God as being “omnipotent” they are
describing what the Bible teaches regarding His attribute of infinite,
unlimited power. He is the ultimate Source of all.
No matter the amount of creative or controlling energy God expends,
His supply is never diminished. He is complete and self-contained; nothing
can add or subtract from His being and power.
This is also true of His essential nature, which is self-giving
love.
“I have loved thee with an everlasting love.” Jeremiah 31:3
God’s love for His own “never faileth”. 1 Corinthians 13:8
God created man in order to share His eternal glory, perfections,
and goodness with him. By His indwelling Spirit He bestows His own life upon
“as many as received Him”. They are “born of God”. (John 1:12,13)
This is summed up in the of repeated Biblical phrase; “all things”.
(1 Corinthians 3:21-22, Matthew 24:47, Luke 12:32,44, Romans 8:32,
Revelation 21:5,7, Hebrews 2:8-10)

It is promised to those who “overcome”, by surrendering themselves
totally to His Spirit, allowing Him to replace their sinful-self with His
bestowed holiness and selfless love, “shed abroad in their hearts”, (Romans
5:5)
that they “shall inherit all things”. (Revelation 21:7)
Only love creates love. Only the revealed realization of the Lord’s
love for us, as individuals, can free us from blind self-will and empower us
to love with His pure sacrificial love.
“We love because He first loved us”.  I John 4:19

The Christian’s battle is in the mind and heart. It is between
self-love, powerfully stimulated by the “spirit of the age”, and the
self-giving love of Christ lived through us by His own Presence and power.
The beautiful fruit of the Spirit, the virtues of our Lord Jesus
Christ, are produced in and through us by His Presence. It is His love
working in us. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Joy is the happiness of His love.
Peace is the contentment of His love.
Longsuffering is the patience of His love.
Gentleness is the tenderness of His love.
Goodness is the graciousness of His love.
Faithfulness is the consistency of His love.
Meekness is the humility of His love.
Temperance is the self-discipline of His love.
We need a steady inflow of His love. Daily we must pray for the rule
of His Spirit over our mind and heart.
“This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved
you.” John 15:12