THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF LOVE (Part V)

THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF LOVE (Part V)

The primary evidence of genuine Christianity is the believer’s demonstration of love.  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 definition of love is connected to His person and work.  To wit, 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.

It is liberating to know that Satan has only ‘three tricks’ up his demonic sleeve!  His power is actually limited, not unlimited like God’s power, and by extension, less than our spiritual authority as we walk in divine power.  According to I John 2:15-16, “ALL” that Satan has within this world system is 1) the lust of the flesh, 2) the lust of the EYES, and 3) the PRIDE of life.

Genesis 3:6 informs us that Satan gained the upper hand over our fore-parents by launching these three carnal weapons.  “When the woman saw the tree was good for food [the lust of the flesh] and that it was pleasant to the eyes [the lust of the eyes] and a tree to be desired to make one wise [the pride of life], she took the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” (Genesis 3:6)

Satan strategically deployed these same temptations against Jesus.  However, he was patently unsuccessful in doing so.  Following Jesus’ 40-day fast in wilderness (Matthew, chapter 4), He was systematically tempted of Satan via 1) a command to turn stones into bread [the lust of the flesh], 2) a suggestion to throw himself down from the pinnacle of the temple so that angels would be dispatched to rescue and reveal His glory [the pride of life], and 3) a deceitful promise that he would be given all the kingdoms of the world that Satan showed to Him [the lust of the eyes].  This final temptation was sheer lunacy since “the earth is [already] the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.” (Psalm 24:1)

How did JESUS respond to satanic temptation?  Not by entering into dialogue with the devil…not by some ostentatious display of divine power…but by immediately dispatching His primary weapon (and ours), THE WORD OF GOD.  He assigned a specific Word to eVERY satanic temptation, thus dismissing and overcoming it.  Wow!  We too walk in this covenant of faith victory.  Listen with your spirit to what THE WORD has to say about YOU and your capacity to overcome:

II Corinthians 10:4 (NKJV)

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,

I John 5:4 (NKJV)

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

Our God, Who is love personified, offers ten specific promises to all winner-believers who OVERCOME.  Because of our faithfulness, 1) We will eat from the tree of life (Revelation 2:7);  2) We will not be hurt by the second death (Revelation 2:11);  3) We will eat of the hidden manna (Revelation 2:17);  4) We will be given a white stone with a name inscription known only to God and the recipient (Revelation 2:7);  5) We will be given power over the nations (Revelation 2:26);  6) We will be clothed in white garments (Revelation 3:5);  7) We will be confessed by Christ before the Father and the angels (Revelation 3:5);  8) We will dwell eternally in the temple of God (Revelation 3:12);  9) We will be personally inscribed with the name of God and the New Jerusalem (Revelation 3:12); and, 10) We will inherit all thing as the children of God (Revelation 21:7).

All of these benefits are made available with the condition that we accept the covenantal gift of grace, which is the sacrificial atonement of God in Christ, and we must remain faithful to Him, i.e. to His Word. (John 10:21 and Revelation 2:10)

This is possible ONLY because of (and by way of) God’s transforming love.  “As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (II Peter 1:3-5)

Once we have been thus transformed, it is our signal honor that we become “stewards of the mysteries of God” (I Corinthians 4:1) with the distinct privilege of serving as ambassadors of the King of Kings within this fallen world system.  Love transforms and infuses life into dying souls and dire circumstances.  So ask yourself this vitally important question: “What am I doing to exemplify and share His transforming love?”

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