Lately, I have been exclusively in the Apostle John’s writings, in my personal readings, my blog writing, and my time with my wife.
John reiterates one theme, over and over again in my opinion, and that is that we are to love one another, to love like Jesus, to love.
It is refreshing to be reminded of the core mission of believers.
Love like Jesus.
Rejoicing in the Truth
Love is the goal of all of Christian life. Love that is displayed in the life of Jesus. The life and death of Jesus. This love is described in 1 Corinthians 13. Let’s consider
Love rejoices with the truth.
It has been years since a brother once instructed me to replace the term “love” with “Jesus” to get a better understanding of who He is.
Jesus rejoices with the truth
In our last post, we considered what rejoicing does not do, in that it does not rejoice in iniquity, in injustice. We spent a few moments considering situations where we may delude ourselves in certain circumstances, where our happiness may not line up with the Word’s definition of righteousness and unrighteousness. I mentioned that the only basis for determining what is righteous is from the Bible, and without a solid understanding of it’s message, and the moral expectations laid out, we can justify almost any action as “right”
This is so dangerous, in that self deception is so easy.
Love rejoices with the truth. But what is truth? In our culture, we have lost grip with truth. Our walking away from the Word of God has left us with no foundation upon which to understand God and our relationship with Him and others. Without a knowledge of the Word, we simply fall prey to any lie offered.
Consider a believer that is seeking to obey the Word, to be pleasing unto the Lord. As we seek Him, we experience a constant temptation to abandon His Word. Hear me now – believers are constantly tempted to leave the Word behind.
Please understand that the habit of Bible reading is critical in a believers life. Knowledge of the truth is the foundation of successful living in front of the Father. The foundation that is. Even better is the habit of understanding the Bible for my life. There is a difference!
If you are a believer seeking to follow the truth, you know of the testing’s, the fighting’s, the struggles to come under obedience, the doubts, the fears, the tears. The tempting’s to ignore the Word, to turn to something “not so demanding”
My brother and sister, God the Father has high moral expectations of His children. His goal is to mature His children into the image of Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:29
For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Jesus the Son has supplied the model. He has provided, in His life, a guide to understand the Old Testament laws. His life is an interpretation of the moral code that the religious man or woman needs to consider. He never failed in understanding the intent of the Law in front of the Father.
Sadly I fail. I was well on my way to knowing the truth, to getting the letter of the law under my belt, to knowing the facts of the law. It has been a blessing to have that foundation. I thank my teachers and friends for their encouragements and efforts in my life. Yet my handling of the facts made me religious, a Pharisee, a believer that looked down on others. Pride took residence in my life!
The truth is based in the facts of the Bible. Yet the truth is also found in the Spirit of God, interpreting those facts through the lens of Jesus.
If you are not a believer, understand that you do not understand Christianity. In your ignorance, you may judge the failings of believers, feeling this justifies your rejection of Christ. This is a false security my friend, since you are judging what you know not.
Jesus replacing Love
So is my brother’s suggestion of replacing the term love with Jesus accurate and helpful?
Jesus rejoices with and in the Truth. He is the Truth. He has accomplished so much, and is in perfect relation with the Triune God. He is the Alpha and Omega, and in these truths, He rejoices.
Our rejoicing is to be in the same source, that is in Him.
Please join me in our next study where we will begin to consider the last four descriptions of love.
I look forward to comments and discussion. May the Lord give you an understanding heart and a willing spirit to consider the Bible and all it’s wealth.
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Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion.
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