“I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.” Romans 9:1-5
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13
“God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree’—” Galatians 3:13
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:4-7
Paul was raised as a Jew among Jews. Educated, trained, zealous, an exemplary religious Hebrew in every way, except he did not know Christ Jesus. Once His Savior broke through, his life was bound up in Christ, the gospel his passion. He wanted to be like Jesus. He lived and breathed and was willing to suffer and die that others would know the same Redeemer who saved him. Paul desired to give his all for the sake of the One who had given His. He loved that much. (Philippians 3:3-11)
The power of a life is measured by the cost of the life willing to be given. When we see Jesus, we see LOVE spelled out in daily and ultimate sacrifice. When we recognize who we were- sinners, enemies, accursed- and that the Lord Jesus gave His life to win us unto forgiveness and eternal freedom, we begin to understand the depth and width and length of His love for us. Humbled and overcome, we can receive His love sprinkled onto our brokenness and pouring into our hearts. And that love is intended to flow to others. (Ephesians 2:1-7; 3:14-19; Colossians 1:21-22)
How honest are we about our depravity apart from Christ? Have we acknowledged that left to our flesh, we are horrific spiritual rebels, estranged from God, who follow the prince of darkness? Can we testify to being enemies made friends by Christ’s blood? If so, how will we behave with His love now in our hearts?
Are we quicker to condemn those blind to truth, strangers and enemies to the ways of God, or to feel compassion for their lost estate and pray that their eyes be opened? How will we daily fill up with Christ’s Spirit of love? To whom will we spread it today? (Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 5:18)
Father, in gratitude for so great my salvation, may I exhibit and extend Your love so others might be Your friend also. (Hebrews 2:1-3)
As the rain and snow 