The Love of God as Our Guide

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 6:49 am Post subject: The Love of God as Our Guide

The Love of God as Our Guide

Scripture:

And it came to pass that when Peter was come in, Cornelius came to meet him and falling at his feet adored. But Peter lifted him up, saying: Arise: I myself also am a man.

And Peter opening his mouth, said: in every deed I perceive that God is not a respecter of persons. But in every nation, he that fears him and works justice is acceptable to him.

While Peter was yet speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them that heard the word. And the faithful of the circumcision, who came with Peter, were astonished for that the grace of the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the Gentiles also. For they heard them speaking with tongues and magnifying God. Then Peter answered: Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit, as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then they desired him to tarry with them some days. ( Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48 )

Dearly beloved, let us love one another: for charity is of God. And every one that loves is born of God and knows God. He that loves not knows not God: for God is charity. By this has the charity of God appeared towards us, because God has sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we may live by him. In this is charity: not as though we had loved God, but because he has first loved us, and sent his Son to be an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ( 1 John 4:7-10 )

As the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love: as I also have kept my Father?s commandments and do abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be filled. This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love than this no man has, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do the things that I command you. I will not now call you servants: for the servant knows not what his lord does. But I have called you friends. because all things, whatsoever I have heard of my Father, I have made known to you. You have not chosen me: but I have chosen you; and have appointed you, that you should go and should bring forth fruit; and your fruit should remain: that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that you love one another. ( John 15:9-17 )

Reflection:

God loves all the children of His creation, but asks that each abides by His commandments. We should understand that living by the call and justice of our Lord, we leave one less space for evil to roam the world. Blessed are those who seek the Lord, for through their belief and faith in Him, they shall find the blessings of the love of God.

It is the way of people that they seek how to worship their God, but it is also the way of people that they seek first to speak before they listen. For this reason, they do not always hear well what the Lord seeks to teach. Through the generations, the Word of the Lord has passed from person to person, but not all who pass the Word do so faithfully. In prayer we should seek to learn. In prayer we should seek to discern. In prayer we should ask for the guidance of our Lord so that we are not deceived by false professors of the Word. With the blessings of the Holy Spirit, we will not be misled. Through the moments we spend in prayer, the blessings of faith within us will grow.

If our faith is true, then, we will fulfill the potential God desires for all the children of His creation, which is to love Him and one another as He love us. If we allow hate, anger, jealousy and selfish desires to fill us, then, we will not know God. Some will come to us holding out scriptures as justification for what they want us to believe, but if such words of faith are taken out of the context of love, then, we should not follow who presents them. The one who seeks to twist the words of scripture is driven by the evil one. If we are confused by what we hear, then, we should pray for discernment and apply the test of love. The scriptures are never false when heard through the context of the truth of the love of God.

Because He has given us free will, we are open to the temptations of the world; temptations which include the presentation to us of our faith in deception; temptations which drive divisions even among those who profess their belief in God. The ways of the evil one are fulfilled when the children of His creation are set one against the other. As we fall to such temptations, we fail the God who loves us so.

When we fall to sin, He is not pleased; but His love is so great for us, that He forgives us of our shortcomings. In atoning sacrifice He sent His only begotten Son to teach us the Word, not just through what He taught, but by the very example of laying down His life so that if we truly believe in Him, we shall not parish.

As He spoke to us of love, He told us of the many ways we may live faithful to His commandments. He exposed those who attempted to twist the Word for the benefit of their own desires and their own power. He exposed those who did not believe the Word and failed to live by what He asks of us. As He spoke to us of love, He told us that there is no greater love than for a man to lay down his life for his friends. After He taught us, He lived the example He spoke.

In atonement for our sins, He handed over His life so that we may truly understand His love for all the children of His creation. If we believe in Him and what was done for our sin, we will understand His love. If we understand His love, then, we will understand what He calls of us in faith. If we look for this in what we are told, we will see Him and we will not be deceived by false prophets and those tempted by the evil one.

As He acted by example, so too, He seeks for us to live the Word by what we do. We cannot preach words of love and live by words of hate. If we are to pass the truth through the generations, we must also seek to live the truth. Through the example of living by the commandments to love, we expose all else which is false.

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier