Committed to Love

We have just recently turned the corner into the brand new year of 2009. I’m sure by now you have heard that old saying, ‘Out with the Old and in with the New’. The beginning of a new year for many is the time for change. People want change in their life, and their ready to wipe the slate clean and start all over. 

                                                                                                          It’s a time to wipe away all the past failures, all the disappointments, all the hurts, and all those things that we weren’t able to accomplish last year, and now is the time for a fresh new beginning, a time to start over.

The beginning of a New Year for many is just that, a new beginning. A time to begin that new diet that we have been putting off for quiet a while now, or a time to get serious about that exercise program the doctor spoke about. The beginning of a New Year is a good time to start reading the Bible everyday without fail, so we can finally read it through in a year.

Some New Years resolutions are to spend less time at work, and more time with the family, for others it’s a time to overcome some of those nasty habits that they have picked up along the way like smoking, drinking, or even swearing? This beginning of a New Year would be a good time to start eating better foods and watching our weight a little bit closer.

But these are all things in our life, that we see needs improved upon. But have we ever started out the New Year asking God what things He see’s in us that needs improved upon. What things He would ask of us to change in our life.

When God looks at us, the Bible tells that He doesn’t look at our outward appearance, but at our hidden heart. He sees what is really deep inside us. If He were to look at our heart today I wonder what things He would find there that He is asking us to change.

Would He find things like unforgiveness, hatred, or strife? What about anger and resentments over things that someone did to us a long time ago? Have we allowed things like pride or bitterness to creep into our heart against our neighbor?  

One of the sad things about making New Years Resolutions is that so often we fail at carrying out the things that we set out to do, so we just give up. Someone said that in just 3-weeks many of those resolutions will fall by the way side.

It takes hard work and effort to accomplish them, and it’s the same way in our spiritual life with God. Since we have come to know Christ, and have been taught by Him, we are to put off the old nature with all its previous habits, and we are to be renewed in the spirit of our minds, by putting on the new nature that is created in Gods likeness, in righteousness, and holiness.

One of the greatest examples of Gods Commitment to Love was demonstrated at the cross on which Jesus died. He who knew no sin, took our sin upon Himself, and paid the price for our life, that we might live and have eternal life.

Now if you ask me do I think that God believes in making New Years Resolutions?  I’ll be honest, I don’t know about that. I do know that God desires to bring change into our lives. He is a God that recreates, He restores, and He renews, He is a God of new beginnings. I also believe that this New Year will be the start of many of those changes He has desired to bring into our lives.

So I think this morning if there is one thing the Spirit of the Lord is asking of us, as we head into this New Year, it is for us to be more committed to showing Gods Love.

The word commit means, ‘to pledge or obligate one’s own self’. So will we pledge or obligate our selves more in this New Year to showing Gods Love to one another? Not only here at church, but at home, at the office, at school, where ever we go.

Do we say, ‘I love you because, and go on to announce the reasons why we love, or will we say, ‘I love you because. Period!

Is our love for others a conditional love? Do we love others only when they meet those certain conditions? What happens when they no longer meet those conditions, do we get angry at them and separate company from them?  Do we ignore and turn them away?

Or is our love going to be an, ‘Unconditional Love’? A God like Virtue that will love others not based upon conditions, but unconditionally. No matter who they are, or what they do to you. The same kind of Love that Christ has loved us with.

St Matthew 5: 43-44 ye have heard that is hath been said, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, ‘Love your enemies, and bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.

Here’s an easy way to look at the two. Conditional love is more of a human trait, often times based upon feelings and emotions. Unconditional love is a God trait, always based upon Gods Grace.

Galatians 5: 14 for all the law (or commandments) is fulfilled in one word, even in this, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself’. A powerful proof that we are truly followers of Christ is the love we demonstrate to one another. This beginning of a New Year would be a good time to make a strong resolution to be......

Committed to Love

Rev. James A. Lewis/Word of Life Ministry

  Hand in Hand Publications February 2009

I am very pleased to welcome back this month to Hand in Hand Publications, our dear friend and Minister Dr. Trudy Veerman, from Canada.

Sister Trudy is a Licensed Clinical Christian Therapist, a Certified Christian Counselor, an ordained Minister and a published Author. She is serving the Lord with dedication and determination, for the past 47 years. Her life and her ministry is a sure proof of God's unfailing power. 

This month Sister Trudy shares with us an inspiring and prophetic message entitled, "What is to Come".  Written by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, this message reveals the danger signs of conforming to the world and becoming luke warm in our relationship with Christ.

Many have fallen away from their first love, to seek after other gods.  We are truly living in days of adversity, where sin abounds on every hand.  We must not be deceived, nor led astray.  Stay in the Word.

I encourage everyone to read this message, and let it sink down into your spirit.  I appreciate Sister Trudy for stepping up and writing this message, and I would appreciate it if you too could let her know.

Click on this link below.....

Hand In Hand Publication is an Internet Ministry of Faithful Christians joining hands together all around the world, for the sole purpose of promoting the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

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