The Love of God - #3

God's love is a GIVING love, not a GETTING love. All of us know John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that He GAVE His only Son..." How about 1John 4:9-10: "...God SENT His only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him...God...loved us and SENT His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

And when God gives, He doesn't give the left-overs. No back-ups. He doesn't give what is expendable. He gives the BEST - "His only Son."

For the redemption of you and me, God sent THE Son...the ETERNAL Son with whom the Father had unbroken fellowship through the ages. The Son, who created all things, who upholds all things by the word of His power was sent. Not Gabriel or Michael, archangels by trade. They weren't qualified for this work of eternal redemption.

John writes that we should "love one another, for love is from God..." 1John 4:7. Therefore, the love with which we love one another should be, in some way and to some measure, a GIVING of the BEST.

What kind of GIVING the BEST? How about...

• My best EFFORT. I cannot begin to count how many times I have given left overs of effort to others. I wait until it is almost time to teach and then do some hurried preparation. Left-overs. And not even warmed up. Yuk.
• My best TIME. When I am best able to think clearly. When my mind is not hurried or cluttered or weary. When I SHOULD be doing the task and not taking time from family or time with the Lord to get it done. The best time is the right time.
• My best CHOICES. When I serve my family, I often give them grumpy or irritated responses instead of choosing to be gentle and kind and affirming. I CAN and DO do this with others. Why cannot I do it with my family? Perhaps I care about impressing others more and so I choose to respond in the best way...the way that will make me look most spiritual and keep my reputation up to snuff in other's eyes. Pitiful!!
• My best PRAYERS. When you say, "I will pray for you," DO YOU? Do you love by giving some precious time to pour over a prayer list for those you love and who need your love? When we commit to pray, love will write the request down or tape it up somewhere and stop during the day or at the tired end of a long day to bring the person and their request to the Lord. Love will pray specifically and not just, "Lord, bless Judy."

Of course, this giving the best kind of love is God's nature by nature, but not ours. But God lives within us if we are truly redeemed. And that means the Holy Spirit, who produces LOVE in those He indwells will be at work making us giving-the-best lovers. The Father gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask (Luke 11:13) for help in becoming God-like, giving-the-best lovers.