"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!" (John 8:58)

Behold The Man!

Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands. Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, "Behold the man"! (John 19:1-5 KJV)

Krystal Meyers - The Beauty of Grace

100806

40 Days of CommUNITY
Why We’re Better Together


1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (Monday) “FIVE RADICAL STATEMENTS ABOUT LOVE”
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.” (NIV)
1) We need to know that what we are talking about here is God’s love—“agape” love. Agape love is love expressed or demonstrated at the highest level of care, concern and compassion! God Himself is the ultimate expression or essence of “agape” love. How does God announce Himself to Moses in Exodus 34:6?
2) Agape love is self-less, sacrificial and necessitates a relinquishing of one’s own rights, desires and even one’s own will—a deliberate choice, a deliberate action! The highest example of God’s agape love for us is best revealed in John 3:16-21 and 1 John 4:9-21.
3) Agape love is so contrary to the world’s idea of “love”! Jesus “raises the bar” with His “agape” love in Luke 6:27-38. We are commanded to:
a) love our enemies!
b) do good to those who hate us!
c) bless those who curse us!
d) pray for those who mistreat us!
e) turn the other check!
f) not only give the shirt off our back, but the coat over it!
g) give freely, not expecting a return!
h) do to others as we would have them do to us—even if and when they don’t!
i) be merciful!
j) do not judge!
k) do not condemn!
l) forgive!
4) So, how are we doing so far?
5) Apart from God, does mankind possess “agape” love? This passage in 1 Corinthians gives us several reasons why man cannot, outside of Jesus Christ, obtain to God’s level of “agape” love. Agape love:
a) is not evidenced in our eloquent or many words! (Ecclesiastes 5:3, 7; Matthew 6:6-8)
b) is not evidenced in our preaching the gospel of Christ (Philippians 1:15-18)
c) is not evidenced in our worldly or spiritual knowledge! (1 Corinthians 8:1)
d) is not even evidenced in our faith! (Jonah 1-4)
e) is not evidenced in our sacrifice! (Isaiah 1:10-18)
1) Sadly, without God’s “agape” love, we have and are nothing! (1 Corinthians 16:22; 1 John 4:7-8, 11-21)
a) Whoa! We may be in some serious trouble! Remember, last week’s question? Why is it not written in 1 John 4:8 that “…love is God”, but rather, “…God is love”? Here’s my take on that one. The first statement attempts to identify God from our very limited human perceptive or concept of love. That statement attempts to put God and His “love” into our own neat little “box”! God is love, is rightly stated because here, love is identified as the very nature, or essence of God—God Who is beyond human understanding and any human capacity to love. Therefore, God’s love, “agape” love, can only be equated based upon God’s standard—which, of course, is limitless and unfailing! “Agape” love is not an attribute of God that can be “boxed” in, any more than God can be “boxed” in! God is love identifies God as both the Source of love and the evidence of His love. Naturally, it holds true that in order to experience or share God’s “agape” love, we must begin at the Source of love—God! We simply do not possess nor do we have the ability to obtain to God’s “agape” love in our own earthly sinful natures. “Agape” love cannot be humanly replicated! Oh, it can be mimicked, but any attempt to imitate God’s “love” is a lie—and therefore, profits us nothing in this life or the next! Remember, we must draw from the Source of love—God!
i) I was reading Charles Stanley’s “In Touch Daily Devotional” for today and I think it expresses the meaning behind 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 better than I ever could:
“Believers do a lot of wonderful things in the name of God. Sometimes, though, service becomes more important than the Master. Hosea 6:6 makes the Lord’s priorities clear: “For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, and in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” He wants our attention more than any gifts or works.
Unfortunately, too many Christians never press beyond an occasional good work or Bible reading. They ignore the Holy Spirit’s nudges to spend time in prayer and Scripture meditation. It’s either too much work or doesn’t fit their lifestyle. Also, they tend to worship out of a sense of duty. Does this sound like your life? If so, you should know that becoming intimately acquainted with God does require time and commitment. But it is immensely rewarding.
Human beings are created to know God. He instilled in us a thirst that will not be satisfied until we reach out to Him for companionship and love. Paul wrote in Philippians 3:8 (NAS), “More than that, I count all things to be loss [words, knowledge, faith, sacrifice] in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things [words, knowledge, faith, sacrifice], and count them [words, knowledge, faith, sacrifice] but rubbish so that I may gain Christ [the greatest expression of God’s agape love].”
We were created to have an intimate, loving relationship with the Lord… and to bring Him glory. Paying respect with our gifts and good works is a natural extension of that design. But our primary responsibility is to spend time with Him.”
ii) Me, again. Oh, beloved drink in and of the Source of all love—God!
f) Okay, so how do we poor, wretched human beings even hope to somehow obtain to God’s level of love—“agape” love? Please read Romans 5:5-9. Oh, child of God, God is continually pouring out His love into our hearts! If we have accepted His Son, Jesus Christ, God has placed the Source within us, His precious Holy Spirit!
John 13:34-35; 1 Corinthians 14:1; 1 John 3:18; 4:16 (Tuesday) “WHAT IS LOVE?”
John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. “” (NIV)
1 Corinthians 14:1 “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.” (NIV) “Go after a life of love as if your life depended upon it—because it does. Give yourselves to the gifts God gives you. Most of all, try to proclaim His truth.” (Msg.)
1 John 3:18 “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” (NIV )
1 John 4:16 “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.” (NIV) “God is love. If we keep on loving others, we will stay one in our hearts with God, and He will stay one with us.” (CEV)
1) Love is a command! Yes, even when we don’t “feel” like it!
2) Love is action! (See a need—if it is within your power, fulfill it!) By the way, love is also looking for the need!
3) Love is a sign to unbelievers! We are Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:14-21) offering His love in an effort to reconcile others to God (2 Corinthians 5:14-21)! People are so weary of “looking for love in all the wrong places”! They are drawn by the truth of God’s love being demonstrated by His children! They can’t help but see God in that love—because they know it is not natural, it is Supernatural! What drew me? Love! What drew you? Go on, look back to that moment you first believed, search deep inside your own heart. I’ll be very surprised if your answer is not the same as mine!
4) Say that you have accepted Christ. Great! Does that mean that overnight His love is suddenly going to flow from the wellsprings inside you? Well, yes, but not all at once! We can only express God’s “agape” love as we grow and begin to put into action the love that the Father has already shown in our own lives! We dare not go backwards, and we cannot afford to grow stagnate. No, we must move forward with God, abounding more and more in His love! (Philippians 1:8-11)
5) The spiritual gifts we receive from the Father are not meant to “puff” up ourselves! No, they were meant be used as an expression of God’s “agape” love for others!
6) God dwells in our hearts through His “agape” love!
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (Wednesday) “GREATEST COMMANDMENT”
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.” (NIV)
1) When I read this verse I think of a gong or cymbal that has been miss-struck—the sound making one’s skin crawl much like how you respond when fingernails are scratched across a chalkboard! Whiteboards, greenboards! Okay, maybe some of you will be too young to know this particular sound, but, believe me, it’s awful! Obviously, the musician has missed the intended note and the sound the instrument makes falls far short of the majestic, triumphant sound that it was designed for! Now, imagine that this occurred during a performance by one of the world’s most famous orchestras—before a very elitist audience. Finally, the moment for these instruments to resound in all their glory has finally arrived! The audience has been held spell-bound, anticipating the grand crescendo, but the only sounds that come forth are a dull thug and an ear-shattering clang! Why, if the audience doesn’t gasp in horror—the maestro certainly would! Oh, the maestro knows every single note that is to be played by every single instrument in the orchestra. He would instinctively know that these musicians had made a ghastly error! Beloved, we are those musicians, our instruments are love and God, our Maestro, knows when we step out of the realm of His “agape” love and miss our notes, too!
2) Noise! I think it’s somewhat comical that scripture would compare man’s idea of love to useless, annoying noise! The world is so full of it—noise, that is! Do you ever want to just shut everything off? I wonder how we would respond if the entire world suddenly fell into complete silence? No television, no radio, no hum of the air conditioner, or of the refrigerator, or of the endless traffic, or of the hustle and bustle, or of the useless, endless chatter? Would we be paralyzed by culture shock? Or, do you think that maybe, just maybe we might hear the still, quiet voice of God and silent pleas of those around us?
a) I think this is the point where we need to question our love for God and our love for those He bled and died for. Are we just background noise—thoughtlessly drowning out God’s pleads and the heart cries of those around us? Scary, scary thought!
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (Thursday) “WE NEED ONE ANOTHER”
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.” (NIV)
1) How many times to you find the word “I” or “my” in this passage? Too often, we wander away from the Source of love and walk in that dreaded place of “….having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” (2 Timothy 3:5) No man or woman is an island, and God does not expect you to fulfill everyone else’s need. That’s why we are called the “body of Christ”! Each one of us has our own particular function and purpose. (1 Corinthians 12:4-31)
2) When you are part of a conversation that is full of “I” this, or “my” that, be truthful, what thought(s) comes to your mind? Remind you of someone else? (Isaiah 14:12-17)
3) Take the time to read Romans 12. In his letter to the church in Rome, the apostle Paul gives believers several admonitions, even warnings to spur them on to sincere love. He also reminds this church body of some very practical ways to demonstrate God’s “agape” love to one another, as well as to a lost and dying world:
a) Admonitions
i) As an act of pure worship, holding nothing back—offer yourself up to God!
ii) Don’t be conformed to the world’s philosophies, desires, ambitions, distractions, lies, sin!
iii) Let God’s word transformed your earthly way of thinking and acting. Let His word guide your thoughts, decisions, and judgments, your actions and reactions—your life!
iv) Don’t think too highly of yourself—that’s being proud and conceited! Everything you have is a gift from God Almighty! Why boast?
v) Stop every once and a while to carefully consider your thoughts, motives and actions—see if they line up with God’s perfect will for your life!
vi) Love sincerely!
vii) Hate what is evil!
viii) Cling only to what is good!
ix) Never be found lacking in zeal for the Lord or in serving Him!
x) Be joyful in all hope!
xi) Be patient in affliction!
xii) Be faithful in prayer!
xiii) Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody!
b) Demonstrations of God’s love
i) Use the gift(s) God’s has given you to serve His body, the church!
ii) Be devoted to one another!
iii) Prefer others and their needs above yourself!
iv) Share with God's people who are in need!
v) Practice hospitality!
vi) Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse!
vii) Rejoice with those who rejoice!
viii) Mourn with those who mourn!
ix) Live in harmony with one another.
x) Be willing to associate with people of low position!
xi) Do not repay anyone evil for evil!
xii) If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone!
xiii) Do not take revenge, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.
xiv) If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."
xv) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (Friday) “SHARE GOD’S LOVE”
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.” (NIV)
1) Oh, please don’t misunderstand! It is good that we possess the ability to speak eloquently, or the ability to preach the truth of Christ’s gospel, or to share our earthly or spiritual knowledge, or to demonstrate our faith! These are meant to be awe inspiring revelations of God’s love! These are also gifts of the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 12, 14)! However, we must be sure our motivation is love—“agape” love, and not pride or selfish ambition. It would behoove us to ask ourselves a few “gut” questions. This following list is not necessarily exhaustive, but it’s a good place to start:
a) Before I step out in word or action, have I first prayerfully inquired of the Lord?
b) What is my heart motivation?
c) Have I made sure that my own heart/life is in order before I try to set someone else straight?
d) Is there a danger that I might become entangled in someone else’s sin?
e) Who will receive the glory?
f) Am I looking to encourage, or just show how much I know?
g) Will this harm or help?
h) Am I speaking truth—in love?
i) Do I find myself often boasting of my good “deeds”?

Just another thought on love:

Love is an action that must be expressed, very much like the act of breathing. Until and unless love is expressed in action we, and the object of our love withers and perishes!

Perhaps, this is best illustrated in our relationship with God. God's word says that He loves us--that's good! But, if He had stood by and watched as we were dying in our sins--then, hearing about His love would have meant nothing to us! It would be love making that dull "thug" clanging sound!

Much to our blessing and great joy, God put His love into action, or expression by sending His very own Son, Jesus Christ to become our sin, bear our shame, to receive our death sentence, and to bring us into a right relationship with our Abba Father God! His death meant our life! Ahh, and as the song goes, "...and the pieces fit!"

May each and everyone one of you come to know and experience God's agape love in its fullest revelation--Jesus Christ!


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