Pure love

I got an e-mail on Saturday from a reader of Words for the Day on my Blackberry PDA device. A Blackberry has a rather small screen and I had to scroll through name after name, after name, after name, after name, after name to ever finally get down to the message. I’m thinking, whew this guy must have copied everyone that he knows with this message and he knows a lot of people! When I finally did get down to the message portion of the forwarded e-mail, it was just one sentence. It read, “I’m sending this to you because I love you.” Below his short message he had attached the Words for the Day message that I wrote on Friday encouraging folks to share WFTD with others.

That e-mail hit me like a ton of bricks and literally my eyes “teared” up and were blurry. That is just beautiful! What a powerful yet succinct statement

Several crowns are mentioned in the Bible as rewards for believers. They are as follows:
1. An imperishable crown is for the mastery over the old man
2. The crown of rejoicing is the adornment for those who have led others to Christ
3. The crown of life is reserved for those who successfully endure trials and temptations
4. A crown of righteousness awaits those who love the appearing of Christ
5. A crown of glory is received by the faithful shepherd

Preoccupation of crowns however or rewards of any kind is not appropriate for believers. In Revelation 4:10 the twenty four elders cast their crowns of gold before the Lord, preferring instead that the Lord would receive all of the glory and honor.

To me this man’s e-mail perfectly exemplifies the spirit in which we should go about our daily lives as Christians. This man gets it. He does what he does because of a Christ-like love for others. Not a love of this world, but a pure love that can only come from the spirit of God living within him. Love that emanates from Christ. A love that Christ demonstrated when He looked down at the untold masses of humanity that were suffering mightily and were hopelessly bound by satanic chains of darkness. With unqualified compassion and love Jesus Christ, the holy awesome, majestic, Creator of all things living or otherwise voluntarily left His majestic throne in heaven and His heavenly host of angels to lower Himself to be born of a virgin in a humble manger. He went on to suffer terribly and gave His life on a rugged cross in exchange for ours.

Demonic forces trembled and ran for cover like frightened rats as the love of Christ destroyed humanity’s bondage and satan’s demonic stronghold of death was crushed and defeated forever. Jesus arose and returned to His rightful place on His throne of victory and one day soon we will join Him and those who have gone on home before us for the biggest celebration and party ever held. It will last forever! HALLELUYAH!

I do not write Words for the Day, or travel extensively speaking before groups about what God has miraculously done in my life, or testify one on one with people when I’m on a plane or at a fishing club meeting, or sitting in a hunting camp, or at a restaurant, nor do I invite people to go to church with me in order that someday I might receive a beautiful crown or two. I do not do it because I think I might get some payoff in this life by being richly blessed, and I do not give one whit about anyone thinking I am some kind of good guy. I know that I am not. I do it because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within my soul. I have a genuine concern for others, and I do not want to see anyone end up in hell, eternally separated from God. I firmly believe that my feelings are as they are because the love of Christ dwells within me. I’m not just concerned for my family, friends and acquaintances, but also for those whom I do not even know. That spirit comes from Christ, I can assure you it does not come from “my” flesh.

We have a family in our church that has recently endured devastating tragedy of the cruelest nature. I ask you to keep them in your prayers. Our church took up a love offering for them Sunday in order that, in some small way, it might help lighten the heavy and sad burden that is upon them. Those in our church who contributed to this effort did not do it because they expect that they will receive a pat on the back from God or anyone. They did not do it because God’s word specifically commands them to do such things. They did it because they are a vital part of the body of Christ that is indwelled by the Holy Spirit of God. The outpouring of pure love that emanates from this holy spring of Key Largo Baptist Church will yield its healing waters to gently comfort this grieving young family and allow them to enjoy the peace and love of God that surpasses all human understanding. A spiritual love such as this can only come from God. People gave because of God-like compassion and love. The same should be true for our sharing of God’s word no matter what format that it is done in and it should be shared with all, and not just family or friends.

This past week:
Is there anyone whom you love so much that you asked to go to church with you?
Is there anyone whom you love so much that you assisted them financially because you knew that they were in desperate need of assistance?
Is there anyone whom you love so much that you signed them up for WFTD, (or similar resource), or forwarded it to them?
Is there anyone whom you love so much that you have shared your testimony because you are genuinely concerned that all will be well with their soul?
Is there anyone whom you love so much that you prayed extensively for them?

Hmmm The Bible tells us in no uncertain terms that the Spirit of God indwells His children. Make no mistake about it the Bible specifically tells us that God is love. If the Spirit of God indwells you, then you are of God and in God. Did you exhibit God’s pure love with any discernable acts last week?

Right now do you have to wonder if the Spirit of God even indwells you? I hope not, but if so it is easy to ask God to enter your heart and work through you to pour out Christ like love to those around you beginning today.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that
He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him should not
perish, but have everlasting life.