…the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who was given to us. 6 For our soul still sick, the holy Christ at the appointed time died for the unholy; 7 for barely for a pure person will anyone die, for a good man perhaps someone dares to die; 8 and God approves His own perfect love be given to us, that while our inner being was still sick with unrighteousness, Christ died for us… Romans 5:5b-8
On this day many of the world’s followers of Christ remember the day our Messiah died on the Cross. How strong a love, to willingly choose death for such imperfect people…
Jesus knew what would happen to Him, predicted all in advance on multiple occasions, though His followers did not understand what He meant at the time and rejected any thought of Him dying. We would have done the same.
Jesus could have chosen to avoid persecution and death by keeping quiet and not challenging the religious leaders of His day. However, His identity and truth had to reach the world. He, God, wanted to redeem as many souls to Himself as possible. This was the way.
The Old Testament made it clear this was always the plan, that God’s family would grow through one “Branch”, to welcome people from every race and spread round the world. The prophet Isaiah said so over and over, as did other ancient prophets. Jesus knew the cost He would pay, and gave Himself, loving us more than Himself.
This is My command, that you love one another as I have loved you; 13 greater love has no one than this: that one lays down his own life for his friends… John 15:12-13
On this Good Friday, His example is our challenge to grow in love.
This culture and world make it difficult to love. The nation, world… is very divided, one political group hating another, one race hating another. And on and on it goes.
How weak! This is not strength.
To hate and be unable to forgive another person or group is actually weakness. But the modern culture tells you it is strong to feel hate and vengeance. The truth: strength is the opposite.
The hard way, the strong way, is to love in the face of evil. To forgive, to unconditionally love, requires the strongest character.
Be clear, I’m not advocating for victims to stay in real harm’s way. I would never tell an abused spouse to stay in a life-threatening situation out of love. You can forgive and even love while protecting your physical safety and that of your children. That is a different conversation.
No, this is about overcoming feelings of unforgiveness, hatred and vengeance, about letting go of these weaknesses. It is about following the example of Christ who loved and spoke the truth even though He was persecuted and killed for it.
Unconditional love is the strongest character quality we can grow.
Thankfully, truth and love go hand in hand. You cannot have a strong relationship where you have one but not the other.
The strongest people know how to speak the truth in love, and their relationships are strong as oak and last lifetimes.
In closing, I pray more of the world find Messiah, Jesus. He really is the best Person, the One to trust, follow and emulate. We become the best we can be when we do.
May His unconditional love be your strong tower of refuge and source of strength today. God bless you!
FAITH AND FASTING 