While listening to some music recently, we came across a song by Bryan Duncan titled “I Love You With My Life”. It’s a poetic portrayal of Jesus last hours with his disciples before he leaves earth to be with the Father (John 14-16).
In this song, Jesus encourages his followers. Though he was going to the Father, he would give his Spirit to be with them through all they would experience in life. At the end of their time together, Jesus tells them, “I love you with my life.” This one phrase captured our attention.
Although it’s just a song, it expresses something powerfully true. Jesus loves us with his life.
God’s love sets us apart in this world. As it was with Jesus, this love empowers us to do things which are humanly impossible. It brings about eternal change in a person’s life by destroying the works of Satan. Love never fails in it’s work. Love is how the kingdom of God grows on earth. Satan knows this well. He sees what is happening to his dominion. He knows he’s not able to stop God from loving us. The only thing he can do is come at us with lies in an effort to keep us from realizing what being loved by God means. Maybe then he can cause our love to grow cold as a result.
What does it mean to be loved by God?
It means we are able to stand when things around us are falling apart. It also means we can confidently enter into new and unfamiliar territory knowing Jesus is working in us to give life regardless of circumstances.
The power we’ve been given to live this way is in our Father’s love. It’s his love that enables us to go next door to find out what he wants to do to reach our neighbor. It’s his love that helps us realize that where we live is the center of ministry for our family and those living around us. It’s his love that tells our heart to give when it doesn’t make any natural sense to give.
In a very personal way, this love caused us to step forward when God shared with us his heart for a people who are lost and dying without eternal hope.
The love God gives isn’t a “warm fuzzy” we sometimes feel. As a pastor friend puts it, “It’s not a ‘kum-by-ah’ weenie roast thing.” It’s a burning passion deep within that makes us willing to…
…kick over the money tables of those taking advantage of God’s people for financial gain.
…openly confront those who are preventing others from entering the way of salvation.
…go out of our way to share what we have with someone in need.
…get involved in the lives of those around us to be salt and light.
Getting “involved” in the affairs of life is not the same as getting “entangled” as Paul cautioned Timothy. How can salt influence as it’s meant to if it doesn’t get involved? Jesus calls us the salt of the earth for a reason. He wants us to influence life on earth with our flavor. But salt that loses it’s flavor becomes useless. As Jesus said, it’s “good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.” (Matt. 5:13)
It’s true. Lawlessness has increased and the “love of many” has grown cold. Salt is being stepped on. Instead of retreating, we’re challenged to see this as a call to get involved and give what salt we have. Who knows the miraculous things that may come about as we do?
God knows. Deep down inside, we know too.
We have what this perishing world needs…Jesus. He loves us with his life. He lives in us so that he can love others through us.
Are we willing to let him?
Thanks for remembering to pray for us.
We love you.
Kevin & Tammy
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