WHAT MANNER OF LOVE

MONDAY 09 MAY 2022

The more a man finds himself enthralled by His association with the Holy Spirit, and walking according to the measure of faith that he has received and grown, the more he will certainly acknowledge and believe that he has the grace of sincere love from the Father rooted in his heart.

Reference: 1 John 3:1 New King James Version (NKJV) "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him."

The Lord bestowed a manner of love on us, the chosen ones, meaning that its not the kind of love the world gives. From the dictionary definition, the word "Bestow" denotes to confer or present (an honour, right, and gift). In essence, this kind of love is truly an honour, right and gift, which signifies that it is of great quality. Let's consider this love in respect to honour, right and gift.

This manner of love as an "honour" means that Christ has brought an atmosphere of honour to and upon every born again Christian. The Bible says in Ephesians 2:6-7 (NIV): "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus." Beloved, no human honour can be compared to what God has done for us by raising us up with Christ and establishing us with Him in the heavenly realms - the most exalted state in Christ Jesus. What manner of love is this!

This manner of love as a "right" means that we've been given an uncommon right to be called and addressed as the children of God. The Bible says, "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12 NIV). If a man comes to Christ through salvation, believes in His name and trusts Him, He receives the right to walk with God after the fashion described in our referenced Scripture - God's offspring. Then what will begin to spring up from the man's heart is an irrepressible and unconquerable conviction that His soul belongs to God. With this right, he begins to enjoy this sweet and strong communion with divinity, which leads to a blessed life.

Beloved, there is no other manner of love that gives us the very right to walk with God than what Christ did on the cross for us. This kind of love is not 'found' among men, that a man should die for his friends sacrificially. No wonder the book of John expressed this love as "Greater love." In John 15:13 (NIV), it reads, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." Did you know the emotional trauma and experiences Jesus went through because of you and me? As Jesus prayed at the garden of Gethsemane, He said to the disciples, "My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death"...Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will."

Of a truth, aside from being given the right to become the children of God, the greatest evidence of true love is the confirmation of Christ's death on the cross for sins he did not commit. Until our whole reasoning and intellectual faculties are put together to understand the depth of His suffering and commitment to the salvation of mankind, such an experience may remain a mere factual story to us. What manner of love is this!

This manner of love as a "gift" denotes that the great revelation of Jesus Christ in us has brought life and immortality to light. The Bible says, "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life" (1 John 5:11-12 NIV). As a God who loves us so much, He didn't just stop at raising us up with Christ and positioning us at the most exalted height; and He didn't say that it was enough to just give us the right to become His very children, He also gave us eternal life as the best gift, which is in His Son Christ Jesus - who dwells in us.

So don't try or struggle to trust God, but rather strengthen your resolve to walk with Him as a devout soul because you are strategically destined to enjoy His manner of love to the full. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - 1 John 4:16; Luke 20:36; John 3:16; 1 John 4:9-10.

Guided Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the manner of love you bestowed on me which is a full description of Christ, the Word. In Christ, you've fixed me to function in firm reality of the true expression of divine love. I boldly testify today, that I am the child of the invisible God and the world does not understand this manner of mystery because it does not know you. Hence, I'm blessed with all spiritual blessings by the Spirit and I'm fruitful and flourishing in grace, in Jesus' Name, Amen!