Love follows through

My last article in the Quay County Sun on July 17 was about the splendors of God’s love for us with an introduction that our appropriate response to that love through obedience to become his child (John 14:15-21; Acts 2:38-39; 5:32; Galatians 3:26-4:7; Romans 8:9-17).

We’re to continue in that relationship of love by loving others as he loved us because he loves the whole world and wants them as his children (John 3:16; 13:34-35; Ephesians 5:1-2; Romans 5:6-8; 2 Peter 3:9).

Love, therefore, is the basis for the first and second greatest commands (Luke 10:25-27). Love of neighbors extends even to our enemies because that might lead to the peace among us God desires (read all the Bible passages cited as they’re cited, keeping in mind that they might be referred to again; Matthew 5:43-48; 6:9-15; Ephesians 2:11-18; Exodus 23:4-5; 2 Kings 6:8-23; Luke 16:1-9; Matthew 10:16). This love for others has some interesting twists based on Philippians 2:1-11.

First, our love is to be based on the facts of Jesus’ love for us compels us to see others properly as sinners just like us who need to know that his love will cover their sins through forgiveness by his blood (Hebrews 9:14; 2 Corinthians 5:1-16; 1 Timothy 1:12-17; Romans 4:7; 15:7; James 5:8; 1 Peter 4:8).

Once we’re initially forgiven and then try to live to please God, whenever he looks at us, he sees Jesus’ blood that necessarily continually cleanses us from that point forward because we’ll still continue to sin (1 John 1:5-9; Exodus 12:13).

Second, because Jesus humbled himself in obedience to God, we’re to consider others better than ourselves (Philippians 2:3, 5-8). Although he’s God, he became human and set the example of obedience, thereby bringing about an opportunity for each person to come to God through their own obedience (Hebrews 5:7-9; 7:23-25; 1 John 3:24). Our adoption as heirs through this initial obedience to God to receive forgiveness and the gift of his Holy Spirit isn’t a work done by either the baptizer or the baptizee because it’s God’s work (Colossians 2:9-13; Romans 6:3-7; Galatians 5:24; 2:20-21; Ephesians 2:8-9). We must place our faith in the grace and workings of God (Philippians 2:12-13).

Third, while we’re considering others better than ourselves, Philippians 2:4 indicates we’re also to unselfishly look out for our own interests. This happens by humbling ourselves as Jesus did in obedience to God and service to others. Then God will lift us up and exalt us, just as he did Jesus (Philippians 2:9-11; James 4:6-10; 1 Peter 5:5-6; Matthew 25:14-30).

In his John 17 prayer, Jesus knew he’d be exalted again. Similarly, when we get into Christ through baptism, we’re recreated in God’s glorious image and given his work of reconciliation for which he prepares us (2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 3:1-17; 2 Peter 1:3-33; 3:17-18; 2 Timothy 3:14-17).

Have you humbly obeyed the first and second greatest commands as the appropriate follow-through on God’s love for you?

Leonard Lauriault is a member of the Church of Christ in Logan who writes about faith for the Quay County Sun. Contact him at [email protected]