Playing Your Part In God's Love Story

"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

When I have read those passages in the past, I have thought about them in relation to people. And I should. But loving people is the second of the two greatest commandments. And my ability to love in that way is totally dependent upon my being obedient to the first greatest commandment - to love God. I must have that level of love toward God - first - and God will then love others through me.

Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest said, "The key to the missionary’s [and a Saint's] devotion is that he is attached to nothing and to no one except our Lord Himself. It does not mean simply being detached from the external things surrounding us. Our Lord was amazingly in touch with the ordinary things of life, but He had an inner detachment except toward God." 

Jesus was in touch with the ordinary things of life. Accused by the religious leaders of being a friend with sinners.  What they didn't understand was that as He walked among sinners, He had an inner detachment with the ordinary things of life because of being one with the Father. His purpose and our purpose?

"And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.'” - Luke 4:17-19

That is what Jesus was sent to do and what we, as Jesus followers, are commanded to do. Not just live our lives on this planet content with the knowledge that we are going to heaven when we die. Watching silently as those around us flounder and march off toward the gates of hell. God has a part for each of us to play in this new life of ours. What is yours and are you willing to play your part in God's Love Story? The curtain is up and the world is waiting and hoping to see you walk out on its stage! 

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone