If we could just get a revelation of the unconditional love of God toward us and then allow it to flow through us into, first, our closest family members, and then into the church, and finally into the world, WOW!!! Revival!

Don’t Pass Over the Love of God

But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. (Luke 11:42 KJV)

But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. (John 5:42 KJV)

In Luke 11:37-42, 43-48, 49-54, and John 5, Jesus is interacting with and sternly correcting the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. Pharisees, scribes, and lawyers were adamant to keep the law. Keeping the law was not a bad thing. Jesus came to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). But, Jesus tells them in Luke 11:42 that they have passed over judgment (Deuteronomy 25:1, Proverbs 18:5, John 5:30, 7:24) and the love of God (Zephaniah 3:17, Joshua 22:5).

Righteousness is a Gift to be Received

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Romans 5:5 KJV)

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8 KJV)

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (Romans 5:10 KJV)

For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:17 KJV)

That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:21 KJV)

The Unconditional Love of God

Wow. Romans 5 is awesome! Always pay attention to the verb tense. I pulled out these verses above from Romans 5, but I highly recommend reading the whole chapter. Verse 5 says that the love of God is shed abroad (poured out, distributed largely) in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is a gift (Luke 11:13). Then God commends (introduces, presents, proves, establishes) His love for us by giving us everything expecting nothing in return (John 3:16-18)!

The only way to begin to comprehend this is to understand that in the beginning (Genesis 1-2), God gave us the world that He created for us, and we traded it in for the “the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16).” We were deceived (Genesis 3:1), but the snake is still in the garden (1 Peter 5:8)! Jesus came to take it back and restore our true identity.

Nothing Can Separate us From the Love of God

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:39 KJV)

Some people use this verse as a proof text for the popular cliche, “Once saved, always saved.” This cliche is based on presumption and not on faith. I have faith in the Word of God (Romans 10:17), and not in presumption. Romans 8:39 tells me that when we are in Christ Jesus our Lord (John 15:4-7), we are in the love of God (Jude 1:21)! Hallelujah!

Grace, Love of God, and Communion

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, [be] with you all. Amen. (2 Corinthians 13:14 KJV)

There is that Holy Ghost again. I wrote “The Lord is Gracious” explaining that communion is more than just a corporate church function. That is very important, but we can be in constant communion with the Lord, and that is life eternal. When we abide (remain, dwell, continue, tarry) in Christ, the Living Word, by studying and talking with Him about His written Word, we cannot avoid seeing and hearing the many benefits of the baptism of the Holy Spirit and praying in tongues (1 Corinthians 12:1, Jude 1:20).

Baptized in the Holy Ghost

(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) (Acts 8:16 KJV)

The Holy Spirit is not weird! Deceived people are. God is not schizophrenic! Deceived people are (Deuteronomy 11:16, Galatians 6:7-9). We can be so lazy spiritually (1 Peter 1:22-25)! Then, we blame God for our disobedience (1 Corinthians 15:33-34)! If the Holy Ghost is power from on high (Acts 1:8, 8:15-17), who do you think wants to keep you defeated in ignorance (Acts 26:18)?

Praying in Tongues

The following verse is talking about the corporate gift of praying in tongues and the interpretation of tongues. This should not be done without interpretation because it is offensive to those who are unlearned and to unbelievers. Because I had seen and heard people disorderly praying out loud (the leaders) with no interpretation, I just knew that they were nuts.

If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in [those that are] unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? (1 Corinthians 14:23 KJV)

I was an unbeliever and then an unlearned believer. Because of this, it took me about 12 years to allow myself to pray in the Spirit even after I had prayed (asked) to be filled with the Spirit! I love God’s Word. Check out how Paul sums up the teachings in 1 Corinthians 12-14 about church order.

Ignorance is a Choice!

Now concerning spiritual [gifts], brethren, I would not have you ignorant. (1 Corinthians 12:1 KJV)

If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order. (1 Corinthians 14:37-40 KJV)

I love 1 Corinthians 14:38, “If any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.” This goes hand in hand with Romans 13:8, “Owe no man anything but love.” Is this why Paul put the “love chapter,” 1 Corinthians 13 smack dab in the middle of the explanation of the gifts of the Spirit?

Prayer Language

Jesus says that hypocrites love to be seen and heard praying (Matthew 6:5-6). I think Jesus is also talking about yielding our tongues to the Holy Spirit in private because He already knew that there would be those who require an outward show for proof (Galatians 6:12, Philippians 3:3)!

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (Matthew 6:6 KJV)

Praying is an act of worship that should be done in private whether in a known language or in our prayer language. It is more about intimacy with God than what we have made it. We should pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. (1 Corinthians 14:14 KJV)

For God is not [the author] of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. (1 Corinthians 14:33 KJV)

Abiding in Christ

And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. (2 Thessalonians 3:5 KJV)

As we patiently wait for Christ, the Lord directs our hearts into the love of God. Paul is writing his second letter to the Thessalonians. This verse is nestled in a warning and prayer request from Paul that there are wicked men. Paul asks the church to pray that he is delivered from them and then warns the church to withdraw from disorderly brothers or other church members (2 Thessalonians 3:1-6).

Hate My Family? And My Own Life?

Jesus tells us in Luke 14:25-30 and Matthew 10:34-39 to hate anyone and even your own life because you will bear the cross of persecution (Galatians 5:11, 6:12-14). Even your closest loved ones and those in your own house may scorn you for giving up everything of the world to follow Jesus (Luke 8:19-21, Mark 3:31-35)! Jesus still loved His mother and siblings, but He wouldn’t take His focus off of His mission to please or appease them.

Marriage and Dependant Children

The Apostle Paul elaborates for us in 1 Corinthians 7 and in his letter to Timothy on our household.

And unto the married I command, [yet] not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from [her] husband: But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to [her] husband: and let not the husband put away [his] wife. But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. (1 Corinthians 7:10-13 KJV)

But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please [his] wife. There is difference [also] between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please [her] husband. And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction. (1 Corinthians 7:32-35 KJV)

The Enemy is in My House?

In Matthew 10:36, Jesus tells us that your own household will be your enemies. When you become a Christian, and you are already married, you, your spouse, and your children become the biggest targets for the enemy (John 10:10). James tells us that this increases greatly if you become a leader in ministry (James 3:1).

Worse Than an Infidel?

But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. (1 Timothy 5:8 KJV)

This is why Paul goes into such detail about marriage and children. He is not saying that it is a bad thing for a husband and wife to care for each other. He is actually instructing them to put their ministry to their families before any ministry outside the home. Where your treasure is there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21, Luke 12:34).

If the enemy can deceive you into putting your identity into your job or ministry, your spouse and children will be utterly neglected (1 Peter 3:1-6, Ephesians 5:22-33)! These teachings are above and beyond how brothers and sisters in Christ shall love. In other words, you should treat your spouse and your dependant children better than you treat anyone else. The enemy wants you to take your immediate family for granted.

The Kindness and Love of God

But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, (Titus 3:4 KJV)

The kindness and the unconditional love of God go hand in hand. Titus 3:3-5 explains again that we were bound up in all kinds of naughtiness, and God still gave everything for us. Not by our works of righteousness which are good, but according to His mercy, He saved us! Wow!

The Love of God Perfected

But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. (1 John 2:5 KJV)

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. (1 John 5:3 KJV)

We tend to get these verses backward. We think that if we keep or obey His Word, then His love will be perfected in us. But His love is already perfected in us (2 Corinthians 5:21). 1 John 2:1-6 explains that our ability and desire to keep His commandments is how we know that we know Him. It is supernatural. 1 John 2:6 says that if we abide in Him we will walk just as He walked.

We spend so much time and energy trying to explain why that is not possible when the Bible says that with God all things ARE possible (Matthew 19:26, Mark 10:27). Remember to abide and keep simply mean to just soak in His presence and His Word which tells us about His goodness and glory! Hallelujah!

Perceive the Love of God

Hereby perceive we the love [of God], because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down [our] lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels [of compassion] from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? (1 John 3:16-17 KJV)

We become aware of the love of God when we study John 3:16 and meditate on the Scriptures like the ones in this post. His love is revealed through us when we renew our minds (Romans 12:1-4) and allow ourselves to be transformed.

Love is of God

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins.

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son [to be] the Saviour of the world.

Whosoever Shall

Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us.

God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. (1 John 4:7-21 KJV)

No wonder John calls himself the disciple whom Jesus loved (John 21:20).

Keep Yourselves in the Love of God

Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (Jude 1:21 KJV)

This is a command! When we stay focused on the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, we keep ourselves in His love. We know Him which is eternal life (John 17:3). But how do we obey this command?

HOW? Be Loved!

One of my favorite questions to ask God is “How?”

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (Jude 1:20-21 KJV)

The “how” was before the “what” or the command. Just be loved! We can build ourselves up by praying in the Holy Ghost. This is what keeps us in the love of God!

Also, we can know that as sons and daughters of the King of kings and Lord of lords, we are loved with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). Do we really think that we love our own children more than our Creator loves them or us (Matthew 7:11, Luke 11:13)? Our Creator who created us in His own image? We accuse God of child abuse (Matthew 25:24-30) while we pride ourselves in being the best (Hebrews 12:9-11, Hebrews 5:11-14, 2 Timothy 3:14-17)!

God Teaches and Chastens with Words! His Word!

Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk [is] unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5:11-14 KJV)

Hebrews 5:11-14 is God’s kind of chastening!

The first definition of chasten is to train children, to learn, to teach, to instruct! Words hurt especially when they are true. We cannot look at the Old Testament to interpret the New Testament and be able to know God. Do not look at your circumstances and other people to understand God. We must learn of Him through His Word and only believe.

For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 KJV)

Jesus Counsels

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. (Revelation 3:17-19 KJV)

Jesus says it Himself that He counsels us! Why? Jesus rebukes and chastens us by counseling us so that we may be rich! He wants us to know that we are dressed in His righteousness. We are free from guilt, shame, condemnation, and that we may see! Why does He do this? Because He loves us with the love of God! Hallelujah!

Why Do Bad Things Happen?

• We live in a fallen world (Genesis 3 through Revelation 20)
• Unbelief — “What is Unbelief?“
• Disobedience — “Submit to God“
• Pride — “Psalm 1“

The Love and Counsel of God

The love and counsel of God concerning superficial differences are as follows:

[But] the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I [am] the LORD your God. (Leviticus 19:34 KJV)

Race, Nationality, Gender, Socioeconomics: These mean NOTHING in Christ!

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26 KJV)
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (Galatians 3:27 KJV)
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28 KJV)
And if ye [be] Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:29 KJV)

Nothing in the flesh means anything toward pleasing God. Why? He created you, and if you use your flesh as an excuse for disobedience or unbelief, it is still disobedience and unbelief. PERIOD!

Spirit, Soul, and Body

I want to make a special note here for anyone who has mutilated their flesh in any way. Your physical body will be buried corruptible and be raised incorruptible (1 Corinthians 15:50-54). You are forgiven when you receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (Matthew 12:31). Our physical bodies are temporary (1 Corinthians 15:55-58)!

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and [I pray God] your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23 KJV)

Freely receive the Love of God

We allow the accuser to tell us that we are unworthy of God’s unmerited love and favor and therefore we see everyone else as unworthy (Revelation 12:10, Luke 18:17, Romans 15:7, 2 Corinthians 6:1)! The fact is that we were before being born again! But Jesus reveals His unconditional love for you and me and the world by overpaying to redeem us from the power of darkness (Luke 22:53, Colossians 1:12-15, Acts 26:17-18)!!!

This very act tells me that God Almighty says that we are worth it to Him (Colossians 1:21-23, Hebrews 13:20-21, 1 John 3:20-23)! He says the world is worth it to Him (John 3:16, John 1:29, John 16:8, Hebrews 9:26).

Now the only question is, “Who are you believing?” Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, Casting all your cares upon Him because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:6-7)! That’s a command!

Rest, We Have Eternity

I’d say Jesus is right when He says “come to Me because I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28)!” This is why we are told to labor to enter that rest (Hebrews 4:11).

We allow pride to tell us that we have to do all of these works and look good to people which exhausts us and keeps us distracted from the true riches, an intimate relationship with God, that is the definition of life eternal, according to Jesus anyway (John 17:3)!

If you are not intentional about having life eternal in this life, what are you looking forward to??? If that is unknown to you, please realize that you are being deceived (Titus 3:3, Revelation 20:10). YouWillWantTo know life eternal now, life in abundance now (John 10:10) and for eternity.