THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF LOVE (Part II)

THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF LOVE (Part II)

The primary evidence of genuine Christianity is the believer’s demonstration of love.  As Jesus Christ declares, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35, NKJV)  Since JESUS CHRIST is the ultimate manifestation of divine love, our theological definition of love is directly connected to His person and work.  LOVE IS THE CHRIST-ANOINTING – spiritually activated in our thoughts, attitudes, words, decisions, actions and ministries – for the express purpose of transforming our lives, increasing our faith, restoring our relationships and authenticating our witness.

When Adam and Eve made the fatal decision to disobey God’s basic command, the door was left wide open for Satan to become the “prince of the power of the air,” and he has been broadcasting lies and deceit ever since.  In fact, by humankind’s failure to hold up our end of the divine covenant, Satan was legally positioned to become ‘large-and-in-charge’ in this world system. (Genesis 2:8-15 and Ephesians 2:2) 

Nevertheless, on the stage of human history enters JESUS CHRIST.  Oh, how I love Jesus, for He broke down the post-fall barrier that existed between God and man.  He transcended an immeasurable distance, overturned a wall of separation (erected from the base materials of sin and shame) and restored all who believe to full and free fellowship with The Creator.

ONLY JESUS (acting as very God and very man) was actually able to satisfy the righteous demands of God.  Mankind lacked the capacity to save himself, but was justly required to do so since we had deliberately broken a covenant relationship and separated ourselves from God.  ONLY JESUS – as ‘very God’ and ‘very man’ – had the ability to resolve the dilemma of the justice of God in opposition to the mercy of God.  as man, he had the obligation to restore the lost relationship.  And As God, He had the capacity to “overcome the world,” (John 16:33 and I John 5:4-5)  

To recap, JESUS CHRIST is very God and very man.  He is man-enough to have experienced every possible pain, pressure and problem in the Garden of Gethsemane; yet, he is GOD-ENOUGH to become our “great high priest that is passed into the heavens…touched with the feeling of our infirmities…in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  (Hebrews 4:14-15)

He is MAN-ENOUGH for his own natural body to hunger and thirst – but He is GOD-ENOUGH to receive a little boy’s lunch and transform into an abundant and sumptuous meal for thousands.

He is MAN-ENOUGH to have been a homeless traveler, for He said about Himself “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head.” (Luke 9:58)  Yet He is GOD-ENOUGH to declare “In my Father’s house are many mansions…I go to prepare a place for you…that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:1-3)

He is MAN-ENOUGH to have wept at the gravesite of His dear friend, Lazarus.  Yet He is GOD-ENOUGH that every believer may cast “all care upon Him, for He cares for you.” (I Peter 5:7)  Hallelujah!  What a loving Savior!

Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!