The Revelation of Love

Dear saints,

I'd like to share with you the revelation of love. There are so many Scriptures about love that I cannot possibly cover them all in this post, but I'm going to share some key ones to make the point that I am led to share with you. I'm going to discuss The Father's love for us, the Father's love for Jesus, the love of Jesus for us, our love for God, and our love for one another.

The Father's Love for Us

First and foremost is the love of God for us. This is spoken of all throughout Scripture, but the most famous one is:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (Jn 3:16).

God loves us all so much that He gave His one and only Son to come into this world as God's Lamb to be sacrificed for our sins. He didn't just tell us with words that He loved us, but He demonstrated it to us. Scripture says:

"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom 5:8).

He did that for us while we were still sinners, so clearly God took the initiative. As the apostle John says:

"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." (1 Jn 4:9-10).

Now that we've touched on the fact that the Father was first to love us and demonstrate His love for us by sending His Son, let's look at the Father's love for Jesus.

The Father's Love for Jesus

The father's love for Jesus is, of course, greater than His love for anyone else. In order to understand just how much the Father loves us, we need to understand His love for Jesus, since He sent Him into the world to save us. Here are just a few of the Scriptures that declare the Father's love for Jesus:

"The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands." (Jn 3:35).

When Jesus was baptized in water and with the Holy Spirit, "a voice from heaven said, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.'” (Mt 3:17).

When Jesus was transfigured on the sacred mountain, and His clothes became dazzling white before Peter, James, and John, the Father declared His love for Jesus again. 

"While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Mt 17:5).

There can be no doubt, based on the Word of God, that the Father's love for Jesus is supreme. It's the highest form of love, known as agape ("a-GA'-pey") love in the original Greek.

The Love of Jesus for Us

Jesus, in turn, loved us with the same love the Father has for Him.

He said, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love." (Jn 15:9).

This clearly show that Jesus loved us just as the Father loved Him (key words: "just as"), and His love for us hasn't changed. But we can change, and that is why we are responsible to remain in His love by the way we live. More on that in the next section.

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." (1 Jn 3:16).

We know what love is by the fact that Jesus Christ laid down His life for us on the cross. He doesn't have to prove His love for us, since He already proved it on the cross. Such redeeming love, unfailing love, everlasting love, steadfast love, and faithful love did He demonstrate for us on Calvary! It is a love that is nothing like what we humans call love here on earth. His response to the Father's love for Him was to please the Father, obeying the Father's command to lay down His life on the cross for us. And Jesus taught that there is no greater love than this.

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (Jn 15:13).

If you could experience in person the love of Jesus for you, as many people have in after-death experiences, you would feel as though He loved only you, or that He loved you more than anyone else on earth; however, that's the same way He loves everyone. It's a euphoric love that can't be described. There is no greater love than the love of Jesus, for nobody loves you like Jesus.

This brings us to our love for God.

Our Love for God

Our love for God is our response to the love He has first shown to us through His sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for us. Perhaps the verse that best teaches this effect is the following one:

He said, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love." (Jn 15:9).

This shows the love initiating with the Father for Jesus, flowing through Jesus as He responded to that love by loving us with the same love the Father had for Him, and then the need for us to remain in His love. This begs the question, "How do I remain in the love of Jesus?" The answer is found in the very next verse, in which Jesus said:

"If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in His love." (Jn 15:10).

Do you see how to respond to the love of Jesus for you, which was His response to the Father's love for Him? We respond to the love of Jesus by remaining in His love, and we remain in His love by obeying His commands. This is the same way that Jesus responded to the Father's love for Him: He obeyed the Father's commands and remained in His love. Therefore, Jesus commands us to do the same.

"Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” (Jn 14:21).

Our Love for One Another

Since we respond to the love of Jesus by remaining in His love, and we remain in His love by obeying His commands, then it's necessary to know what He commands. Jesus said:

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." (Jn 15:12).

We remain in the love of Jesus by obeying His command to love each other with the same love Jesus has for us, which is the same supreme kind of love the Father has for Jesus. It's the perfect love that Jesus showed us when He laid down His life for us, as was previously stated:

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." (1 Jn 3:16).

We respond to the love of Jesus by loving each other, and we love each other by laying down our lives for our brothers. We love others by being kind, compassionate, and forgiving toward them. We even love our enemies, as the Lord commanded us to do (Mt 5:44).

That kind of love that we show to each other in response to the love of Jesus for us will then bring about a loving response in the hearts and lives of those we love, as they in turn love others with that same kind of love. It's like a chain reaction or a ripple effect. As the Scripture says: "We love because he first loved us." (1 Jn 4:19). It just keeps on flowing from one person to the next, and this pleases the Father. 

Peter's Reinstatement

Most of us have heard of the Lord's reinstatement of Peter as an apostle, following his denial of Christ. Let me break that down for you and show how it illustrates the point I've been making.

First let me say that while there is one word for love in English, there are multiple words for love in the original Greek language that the Bible was written in. These Greek words reflect the various Aramaic words that Jesus and Peter used in their conversation together. 

There is first of all agape love, which is the perfect, supreme, highest kind of love that God has and that Jesus has. Then there is philos ("FEE'-los"), which is brotherly love that brothers have for each other, whereby they love or like each other. Then there is storge (STOR'-gey), which is "natural affection" or "affection between family members," often used to describe the love between parents and children. And finally there is eros, from which we get the word "erotic", which is the kind of love that involves the unique intimacy meant to be shared only between a husband and wife. Eros translates to "love" and "desire," specifically referring to sensual, romantic, or passionate love.

In the reinstatement of Peter, just as Peter had denied the Lord three times, now after the resurrection, the Lord asked him three times if he loved Him. First Jesus appeared on the shore after the disciples had been fishing all night and caught nothing, and He enabled them to make a huge catch. Then He fed them some breakfast of fish and bread that he had cooking over the hot coals, along with some of the fish they caught. Afterward he questioned Peter:

1. First ask: When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love (Gr., agape) me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love (Gr., phileo) you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” (Jn 21:15)

Notice that Jesus asked him if he loved Him with agape love, and Peter responded that he loved Jesus with philos, or brotherly love. He had been humbled by his denial. Whereas he previously declared so proudly that he would never deny the Lord and would go to prison or death with Him, now he was only able to say with a more honest evaluation of himself that he possessed a definite philos love for Jesus.

Notice that the Lord's response to Peter was to command him to feed His lambs, which are the people of God, and that was to be His way of showing His love for Jesus. He was reinstated as an apostle of God sent by the Lord to serve His people.

2. Second ask: Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love (Gr., agape) me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love (Gr., philo) you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” (Jn 21:16)

Once again, Jesus asked Peter if he had agape love for Him, and Peter responded that he had philos love for Him. And once again, Jesus commanded him to take care of His sheep, which is the role of a shepherd or pastor, and that involves caring for people. This is how Jesus wanted Peter to demonstrate his love for Jesus.

3. Third ask: Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love (Gr., phileo) me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love (Gr., phileo) you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” (Jn 21:17).

Notice how Jesus now switched to asking Peter if he possessed the brotherly kind of love for Jesus, since He saw that Peter no longer had the confidence to say that he loved Jesus with the highest kind of love shown by Christ. Jesus seemed to condescend to Peter by now using the same word for love that Peter was using. 

Finally, Jesus told Peter:

I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go. ”Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” (Jn 21:18-19)

Jesus was foretelling to Peter that in the future in Peter's old age, he would stretch out his hands (perhaps to allow others to bind him with ropes), and someone would dress him (perhaps with ropes to bind him), and that they would lead Peter to a martyr's death. Legend has it that Peter was crucified, but that he insisted on being crucified upside down, since he considered himself unworthy to die right side up as his Lord was. The Lord commanded Peter to follow Him just as He had originally called Peter to follow Him, and this would include following Him not only in his life but in his death. The Lord wanted Peter to know that this was how Peter would show his love for Jesus.

What this teaches us is that our love for God is not something we initiate, as Peter originally did when he pridefully told Jesus that he would go to prison and death with Him. It is something we do from a humble and contrite heart when we realize what the Lord has done for us on the cross despite our own sinfulness and unworthiness, and we respond to His love with that same kind of love. Therefore, our love is a response to God's love for us, His love for Jesus, and Jesus' love for us, as well as His forgiveness toward us. It flows through us when we have been humbled as Peter was through his past experience of failing the Lord and being forgiven. As Jesus once said, he who has been forgiven much, loves much, "but he who is forgiven little, loves little." (Lk 7:47).

After-death Testimonies of Love

Many people, who have had experiences of life after death, near death experiences, and out of body experiences, have returned to testify that God is love, and that love is the whole point of our life on earth. John the apostle also said that God is love (1 Jn 4:8). And Paul the apostle said that without love we are nothing, even if we have great faith, great knowledge, and rich generosity (see 1 Cor 13).

Here are short excerpts from what a few different people said upon returning from their experience with God in heaven or with Jesus:

The first one said of life, "It's all about love. Love is the goal of all that exists regardless of where and how it exists. Love is the origin of all that exists. Love is the origin and the goal. All decisions in life need to be tested by the only valid question: Am I doing this out of love? If you follow that rule, you follow what your life is ultimately about. Then you do what you were born to do."

 

Another person who encountered the Lord in a near death experience said: “Growing in faith and learning to love God is the point of life.”

A man named Thomas B. wrote after his near death experience that the meaning of life is to “Learn how to love others properly. This is a test to see if you are worthy. And it is never too late to stop bad behavior and turn back to love, which is what we are designed for.”  

Howard Storm, who died of a perforated stomach in a hospital while he was still an atheist, said that after he died, he met Jesus who called over a group of angels: "[The angels] gave me a life review and we went over my life in very great detail. And the life review, at the conclusion of it, I realized that I was here to love people, to be compassionate, to love God and love one another and I had utterly failed." Afterward he had a chance to ask Jesus any questions he wanted to ask Him. Then he said to the Lord, "Now I want to go to heaven." And Jesus said, "No, you've got to go back to the earth and do this the way you were created to do it in the first place: to live a life the way God created you to live a life," which Storm says he knew "very [clearly] was to love, to be a loving, kind person, loving God, loving my fellow man." 

Closing Words

In closing, I tried to be as concise as possible on such a broad topic. I hope that this article has helped unveil this revelation of love that God has for us, for Jesus, and that Jesus has for us, and how we are to repent, humble ourselves, and respond to it with the same kind of love by obeying God's commands and loving one another. Life is all about love. In fact, learning to love God and others is the whole point of life and its goal.

Attribution notice: Scripture take from the Holy Bible NIV, copyright Zondervan, used by permission. Image may be subject to copyright, used per the Fair Use Act for educational and commentary purposes only.

Author's note:  If you enjoyed this post, you may also like Testimonies of People Who Have Seen Jesus, The Love of Jesus, Having the Love of God in Your Heart, Compelled by Love, Law of Love in the New Testament, One Thing, Seven Things That Accumulate Building Materials in Heaven, and the other posts available through the links on the Home page. You may also access my complete blog directory at Writing for the Master.

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Him.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe. 

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

______________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

The Apostasy (False Christianity) Before the Rapture of the Church

Dear Saints,

Those of you who've been following me, Len Lacroix, for a while now know that I preach a true message of righteousness, holiness, and obedience to Christ. But this message is still not accepted by most believers in America. It's viewed as a false gospel by many. You know that I teach that you must be born again and receive the Holy Spirit. I teach that the Lord promised to baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire (Mt 3:11; Lk 3:16; 11:13; 12:49; 24:49; Ac 1:5,8; 2:4,38; Jn 7:38; 20:22; Eph 5:18).

I've also written many articles on the rapture and the need to be ready for it, and I've tried my best to warn you of the Great Tribulation that is set to begin at any time now. But we are living in the days of the apostate Church, people who have embraced worldliness, disobedience to their parents, idolatry, false doctrine, and rebellion. This is because most churches in America preach the false gospel of Once-Saved-Always-Saved or Eternal Security. They teach that nothing you do, no sin you commit, could ever affect your relationship with the Lord and your eternal destination, once you are truly saved.

Paul warned us this would happen. He said:

"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God–having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them." (2 Tim 3:1-5).

Paul  warned that before the Lord comes and His saints are gathered to Him, there must first be an apostasy and rebellion. he said: 

 

"Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction." (2 Thes 2:3).

I would like to share with you an excellent, short message that a Mexican preacher, named Francisco, shared, which is a great example of true, gospel preaching that you rarely hear any more these days in America. You can either watch it on his Youtube channel here at this link, or you can watch it inside this blogpost below:

Attribution notice: All Scriptures are taken from the New International Version (NIV1984), copyright Zondervan, used by permission, all rights reserved.

Author's note: If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy Warning Dream: The Tribulation Follows Rapture, Left-Behind Christians Hunted, How to Prepare for the Rapture, Sins That Will Keep You From Heaven, Drifting Away, Is Obedience Optional?, The Apostasy Parables, Holy Living in a Perverted World, Aim for Perfection, Walking in the Perfect Will of God, The Straight and Narrow Path, Striving to Enter the Kingdom of God, Ask for the Ancient Paths, Living a Life Worthy of the Lord, Separation from the World, The Difference Between a Disciple and a Believer, and Doing What is Right. You can find more of my articles related to Seeking the Lord on the Home page of this blog. You may also access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master." Now I'd like to ask a very important question.

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org

Understanding God's View of Earthly Things

Dear saints,

In this post, I would like to explain God's view of earthly things, according to His Word, and contrast those with heavenly things. This is critical for our spiritual well being, because unless we see both earthly and heavenly things as God does, our lives will be out of order and we will jeopardize our souls. 

Therefore, let us not be engrossed in the things of this world (1 Co 7:31). Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1Jn 2:15). Pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows you need them (Mt 6:32).  Rather “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Mt 6:33). For those who seek the Lord lack no good thing (Ps 34:10), and no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless (Ps 84:11). He satisfies your desires with good things (Ps 103:5).

God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, you will have all that you need (2 Cor 9:8). Therefore, focus on pleasing God, and He'll take care of everything else. Otherwise, if we don't focus on pleasing Him, the Lord Jesus said, “Desires for other things come in and choke the Word, making [you] unfruitful” (Mk 4:19). 

For example, Martha was worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed only one. Mary chose that one thing, which was better, and so should we (Lk 10:41-42; cf., Ps 27:4). She chose to sit at Jesus feet, to be with Him, and listen to Him. 

After all, what are created things anyway? For we know that soon, all created things will be shaken (Heb 12:27). The Lord will remove all things from the face of the earth (Zeph 1:2). This present age is now the old order of things that is about to pass away (Rev 21:4), for the end of all things is near (1 Pe 4:7). Earthly things are a shadow of the things to come (Col 2:17). Even the most valuable earthly things, such as gold and silver, are perishable (1 Pe 1:18). Indeed, wealth is so uncertain (1 Tim 6:17). Earthly things have little importance (Phil 3:19) and are all worthless compared to heavenly things. 

Therefore, set your mind on things above, not on earthly things (Col 3:1-2). No mind has conceived the inexpressible things above that God has prepared for those who love Him (1 Co 2:9; 2 Co 12:4). These are the things promised (Heb 11:13). 

Don’t serve created things. Rather, serve your Creator (Ro 1:25). He created all things and in Him all things hold together (Col 1:16-17). He sustains all things by His powerful Word (Heb 1:2). In all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose (Ro 8:28). Will he not graciously give us all things (Ro 8:32), since He has already given us His only Son? 

In all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Ro 8:37). For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things (Ro 11:36). The Lord knows all things. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God (1 Co 2:10), and if you are in tune with Him, listening to His voice, He will reveal to you anything you need to know. His anointing teaches you all things (1 Jn 2:27). He reveals profound and hidden things (Dan 2:22). Indeed, all things are yours in Christ (1 Co 3:21).  

Closing Words

In view of what the Scriptures say about God's view of earthly things, you should take the time to be alone with the Lord, though you leave the tasks at hand. Nothing will suffer anyway, when you do. For things are of less importance than you think. Therefore, don’t fret about carnal things, but always concern yourself about spiritual values. Focus on pleasing the Lord. Come away from it all, spend time with the Lord, seeking Him, loving Him, worshiping Him, being intimate with Him, truly knowing Him, and the things of this world will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.

Attribution notice: Image may be subject to copyright, used per Fair Use Act for educational and commentary purposes only. Scripture take from the Holy Bible NIV, copyright Zondervan, used by permission. Scripture also taken from NASB, copyright Lockman Foundation, used by permission.

Author's note:  If you enjoyed this post, you may also like One Thing, Seven Things That Accumulate Building Materials in Heaven, Faith in Action, Run with Endurance, Faith Works, Walking by Faith, Overcomers in This Life, From Self-confidence to Confidence in the Lord, Obedient to the Heavenly Vision, Bearing Fruit in Every Good Work, Living a Life Worthy of the Lord, and the other posts available through the links on the Home page. You may also access my complete blog directory at Writing for the Master.

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Him.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe. 

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

______________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

What Does It Mean to Repent?

Dear God seekers,

In our modern culture, people don't use the word repent any more, except in a some churches, but still many churches don't preach about repentance. People don't like being told to repent, which is a basic, fundamental part of the gospel. 

John the Baptist preached that men should repent. Jesus preached, "Repent for the kingdom of God has come near" (Mt 4:17), and the apostles preached, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins..." (Ac 2:38a). Paul the apostle said that God wants all men everywhere to repent (Ac 17:30). He preached that they should repent and turn to God, and prove their repentance by their deeds (Ac 26:20). And Jesus told five of the seven churches in Revelation to repent (Rev 2-3). 

So obviously this is very important and central to the gospel. You cannot truly believe in Jesus without repentance. However, many people still don't understand what it means to repent. Therefore, I would like to explain what repentance is.

The word "repent" comes from the Greek word metanoeō, which is taken from two root words: 1) "meta" and 2) "noieō"

1. meta, (met-ah') 

Can mean after, afterward, or together (there are also numerous other possible meanings).

2. noieō, noy-eh'-o

Means to exercise the mind (observe), that is, (figuratively) to comprehend, heed: - consider, perceive, think, understand.

Therefore, based on the definition of its root words, metanoeō (Greek word for repent) can literally mean "comprehend after", "comprehend afterward", "comprehend later", "consider after", "consider afterward", "consider later", "think after", " think afterward", " think later", "understand after", " understand afterward", or "understand later". 

By definition, metanoeo means - to undergo a change in frame of mind and feeling, to repent; to make a change of principle and practice. It's like turning around and going in the opposite direction. If you are walking along, and you suddenly turn around 180 degrees and walk in the opposite direction, that is an illustration of what it means to repent. It's a total change of mind, not just saying you're sorry. To repent is to regret so deeply as to change the mind or course of conduct and develop new mental and spiritual habits.

According to the Online Etymology Dictionary: The English word "repent" comes from repenten, "be grieved over one's past and seek forgiveness; feel such regret for sins, crimes, or omissions as produces amendment of life," from Old French repentir, from re-, here perhaps used as an intensive prefix, "very much", Vulgar Latin *penitire "to regret," from Latin poenitire "make sorry."

Since meta can also mean "together" we could also literally interpret metanoeo to mean "think together" (with God), "consider together" (with God), or "understand together" (with God). This reminds me of what the Lord says in Isaiah 1:18, "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool." (Isa 1:18, NASB). When we repent, we are considering together with God, thinking together with Him, even reasoning and understanding together with Him that if we repent and ask Him for forgiveness, our sins will be white as snow.

God is good, and He loves you. He does not want you to perish. Peter wrote: "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2Pe 3:9). God wants everyone to repent, rather than perish. For as Jesus said, "...unless you repent, you too will all perish." (Luk 13:3).

Closing Words
The message is clear, which is that all of us need to repent and believe in Jesus Christ, being baptized for the forgiveness of sins. And even as baptized disciples of Christ, we still need to lead a life of daily repentance, which is all part of denying yourself, taking up your cross, and following Jesus, which He said we must do daily (Lk 9:23).

Pray and ask God for genuine repentance, and even tears of repentance. Then let's repent truly, quickly, and often, whenever we realize that we have sinned.

Attribution notice: Scripture quotations taken from the NASB, where noted, copyright Lockman Foundation, used by permission. Other Scriptures taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, copyright Zondervan, used by permission. Image may be subject to copyright, used per Fair Use Act for educational and commentary purposes.

Author's note: I also recommend reading Repentance That Leads to Life, Sins That Will Keep You From Heaven, Ask for the Ancient Paths, The Forgotten Sin of Worldliness, Should you fear the Lord?, Eudoxia Varga Testimony of Heaven and Hell, Ezekiel Moses Testimony of Heaven and Hell, The Judgment Seat of Christ, and The Book of Life. You may access the Main Directory for this Seeking the Lord blog for more articles like this, as well as my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org

Grace in Its Various Forms

Dear God seekers, 

We often think of grace as just the kind which saves you. But Peter the apostle wrote that there are various forms of God’s grace. He said: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.” (1Pe 4:10). 

Various Forms of Grace

Let’s take a look at the various forms of God’s grace mentioned in Scripture, which are twelve in number.

1. Saving grace: Grace to justify sinners through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ (Eph 2:5, 7-8; 2 Tim 1:9; Tit 3:7).

2. Serving grace: Grace for gospel work; grace to be a servant of the gospel and to call people to the obedience of faith; grace to serve (1Pe 4:10; Rom 1:5; 15:15-16; 2 Co 1:12; Gal 2:9; Eph 3:2, 7-8; 4:7, 11-12; 2 Tim 2:1).

Foundation-building grace: Grace to build wisely in God’s kingdom (1 Co 3:10). This is basically a type of serving grace.

3. Speaking grace: Grace to speak for God graciously and powerfully, whether publicly or privately, whether in person or on video (Rom 12:3; Col 4:6).

4. Writing grace: Grace to write for the Lord in whatever manner the Holy Spirit leads (eg., books, booklets, articles, letters, tracts, blogs, etc.), in a way that effectively communicates the gospel, as well as any biblical truth found in Scripture (Rom 12:3; 15:15).

5. Grace for godliness: Grace to say no to ungodliness and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives (Tit 2:11-12).

6. Existential grace: Grace to be who God has called you to be in Christ. We are who we are by the grace of God (1 Co 15:10; Gal 1:15).

7. Grace of giving: Grace to give generously to others (2 Co 8:1-4, 7-9).

8. Suffering grace: Grace to endure suffering, hardship, and even to die for the Lord (2 Co 12:9; Heb 2:9).

9. Strengthening grace: Grace that strengthens your heart (Heb 13:9).

10. Charismatic grace or the grace of gifts: Grace to operate God’s gifts (Rom 12:6).

11. Glorifying grace: Grace that enables the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to be glorified in you and you to be glorified in Him (2 Thes 1:12).

12. Helping grace: Grace to help us in our time of need (Heb 4:16).

Putting it All Together

I hope this has helped to demonstrate that there are many various forms of God's grace, not just saving grace. In fact, there are at least twelve forms of God's grace mentioned in Scripture, including saving grace, serving grace, foundation-building grace, speaking grace, writing grace, grace for godliness, existential grace, the grace of giving, suffering grace, strengthening grace, charismatic grace, glorifying grace, and helping grace. 

These affect not only our spiritual condition or position before God, but are very functional and practical forms of grace that enable us to put the Word of God into practice and to do the good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Eph 2:10). Once we come to know the Lord as one of His genuine disciples, He gives us these various kinds of grace at different times, often in answer to our prayers. so that we might be not only a hearer of the Word, but a doer of it as well (Js 1:22-24).

Attribution notice: Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible NIV, copyright Zondervan, used by permission. 

Author's note: If you enjoyed this post, please also see the following: Costly Grace, Amazing Grace, By Grace Alone, Grace Mercy and Peace, Being Blessable, The Blessing of Abraham, and The Afflictions of the Righteous, You may find the Main Directory for this blog at Home, and you may also access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master." 

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe. 

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

Being Blessable

In my previous article called The Blessing of Abraham, I explained from Scripture how the blessing the Lord gave to Abraham applies to those who are in Christ. In this article, I'd like to explain how to be eligible for these blessings and all the Lord's blessings. 

Let me ask you a question: Does the Lord bless us, regardless of how we live, even if we are disobedient, wicked, and rebellious?

Obedience Opens the Door
Listen to what the angel of the Lord said to Abraham, after he willingly offered his only son on the altar in obedience to the Lord:

The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, "I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me." (Gen 22:15-18)

Abraham’s single act of obedience opened the door for God to 1) bless him, 2) make his descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, 3) allow his descendants to take possession of the cities of their enemies, and 4) bless all nations on earth through his offspring.  All of this happened “because Abraham obeyed God.”

This same principle is true for Abraham’s descendants. In order for God to bless them and fulfill His promise to them and through them, they must keep his ways.

Then the LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him." (Gen 18:17-19)

This passage tells us that we as children of Abraham must keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him. All of these promises that God made to Abraham are contingent upon the children of Abraham keeping the Lord’s way by doing what’s right and just. Then the promises will be fulfilled, including the promise that “Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him.” 

This teaches us that the blessings are conditional and require our obedience. It teaches us that we must remain blessable, in order for the Lord to bless us. 

Of course, there is grace for our failures, weaknesses, and shortcomings. But the Lord blesses obedience, not disobedience, rebellion, and wickedness. You will not find any place in Scripture where it says God blesses disobedience, rebellion, and wickedness, or rewards those who live that way. There is no place in Scripture where that is taught, but rather the opposite. Scripture says we must live our lives in a way that is blessable. This is in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.

Also see Deut 28:2-8; Psalm 37; Jer 17:7; Mal 3:10; Prov 22:9; 28:20; Js 1:12; Gal 6:7-8.

"Praise the LORD. Blessed are those who fear the LORD, who find great delight in his commands. Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed." (Psa 112:1-2)

"Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord." (Psa 119:1)

"For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless." (Psa 84:11)

Even Jesus said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it." (Luk 11:28)

The same is true in the opening of the book of Revelation, where the blessing is conditional:

He says, “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” (Rev 1:3)

Likewise at the closing of Revelation it says, "And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book." (Rev 22:7, NASB)

Look at the beatitudes in Matthew 5. The Lord pronounces blessings upon those who are blessable. Blessed are the meek, blessed are the pure in heart, blessed are the peacemakers, blessed are those who mourn, blessed are the merciful, etc. You don't see one that says, "Blessed are the drunkards, blessed are the liars, blessed are the adulterers, blessed are the ungodly..." etc. 

As the apostle Paul said, the wicked shall not inherit the kingdom of God:

"Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." (1 Cor 6:9-11)

Offering Your Body as a Living Sacrifice to God

The apostle Paul said:

“I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual act of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Rom 12:1-2)

Just as Abraham offered up Isaac on the altar to God in obedience to Him, just as the Lord Jesus offered Himself in obedience to the Father on the cross for us, we must offer our bodies as living sacrifices to God. This is acceptable to God as a spiritual act of worship. This is how we worship and serve God.

Helen Roseveare, former missionary to the Congo, said the Lord taught her that it is a privilege to serve the Lord and even to suffer for Him. "All He wants is the loan of your body." She learned that the Lord wants us to thank Him for trusting us with the opportunity to suffer, even if He never tells us why.

Matthew Henry wrote: “The presenting of the body to God implies not only the avoiding of the sins that are committed with or against the body, but the using of the body as a servant of the soul in the service of God. It is to glorify God with our bodies (1Co_6:20), to engage our bodies in the duties of immediate worship, and in a diligent attendance to our particular callings, and be willing to suffer for God with our bodies, when we are called to it. It is to yield the members of our bodies as instruments of righteousness, Rom_6:13…it is a proof and product of the dedication of our souls to God.”

We must not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds. It’s a life transformation (Gr., metamorphoo) like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly. Only then will be able to prove (Gr. dokimazō) what the will of God is. 

To prove (Gr. dokimazō) what is the will of God means to discern it, distinguish it, try it, test it out, and judge it to be worthy.

One way that we will be able to clearly judge His will to be worthy is when we do His will and see how blessed we are when we do. We are blessed inside and out, through and through, when we obey God.

Apart from Jesus We Can Do Nothing

Don't try to obey God apart from Christ, because without Him you can do nothing. He said, "Apart from Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5). 

This means you should not try to live a life of obedience to God apart from Christ and expect to receive blessings from God, because you can do nothing without Him.

Remain in His Love By Obedience

We must keep the Lord's commands in order to remain in His love and the Father's love. Jesus said, "If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love." (Joh 15:10)

God Rewards for Doing Good and Punishes Sin

The Lord always rewards everyone for whatever good he does and punishes wrongdoing. 

As Paul the apostle wrote: "He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you." (2Th 1:8-10)

Moreover, he said, "because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free." (Eph 6:8). 

"There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile." (Rom 2:9-10)

This principle of reward for doing good and punishment for following evil is not only applicable in this life here on earth, but in the afterlife once we die. How we live now affects us both in this present life and the life hereafter.

"God will repay each person according to what he has done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger." (Rom 2:6-8).

This is why we all need to repent of our sins and have faith in Christ for the forgiveness of our sins. 

As David wrote: "Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit." (Ps 32:1-2)

Faith is a Key to Being Blessable

Faith is another key to being blessable. One example of that is Mary, who was blessed, because she believed.

"Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!" (Luk 1:45).

The same is true of all those who have faith in God. Hebrews 11 is the biblical Hall of Faith that tells of so many ancient people of faith who were rewarded, such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Samson, Barak, Gideon, Moses, and many others.

Closing Words 

These keys to being blessable, which I have outlined in this study, are not only applicable in this life here on earth, but in the afterlife once we die. Let us pray and ask the Lord to make us blessable, and then let us trust and obey Him, so that we may BE blessable.

Attribution notice: Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible NIV, copyright Zondervan, used by permission. Other Scripture taken from NASB, where noted, copyright Lockman Foundation, used by permission.

Author's note: If you enjoyed this post, please also see the following: The Blessing of Abraham, The Afflictions of the Righteous, God Exalts the Humble and Brings Down the Proud, and The "Never" Promises to the Righteous, Also see What's Wrong with the Prosperity Gospel? You may find the Main Directory for this blog at Home, and you may also access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master." 

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe. 

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

The Blessing of Abraham

Dear God seekers,

I would like to show you what the blessing of Abraham is that God gave to him and how it relates to you as a believer in our Lord Jesus Christ.

The LORD had said to Abram, "Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." (Gen 12:1-3)

He took him outside and said, "Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be." (Gen 15:5)

I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me." (Gen 22:17-18)

Components of the Blessing
Let's look at the six components of the blessing:

1. The promise to bless Abraham

2. The promise that he will have a great name (reputation) 

3. The promise that he would become a great nation (have many descendants)

4. God will bless those who bless him

5. God will curse those who curse him
6. Abraham will be a blessing

Fulfillment of the Blessing
Here are some biblical examples of how the blessing of Abraham is fulfilled:

1. Abraham 

a) Great name: Had a great name and was considered a mighty prince among the people (Gen 23:6)

b) Many descendants: Had many descendants through Jacob and Esau/Edom his grandsons. 

c)   Became extremely wealthy (Gen 13:2)

2. Jacob 

a) Had good relationships with the Canaanites among whom he lived as a stranger

b) Became a nation called Israel that possessed the land of Canaan

c) God blessed Jacob’s unusual breeding practices

d) Laban was blessed through his association with Jacob (Gen 30:27,30)

e) Became exceedingly wealthy shortly after Rachel his wife gave birth to Joseph (Ge 30:43)

3. Joseph 

a) Joseph prospered while in Egypt (Ge 39:2)

b) The Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in everything he did (Ge 39:3)
c) Joseph found favor in the eyes of his Egyptian master Potiphar, who put him in charge of his entire household and entrusted to his care everything he owned (Ge 39:4)

d) From the time Potiphar put Joseph in charge of everything, the Lord blessed his household because of Joseph, and the blessing of the Lord was upon everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field (Ge 39:5)
e) While in prison, the warden put all the prisoners under his authority (Ge 39:21-23)

f) Became ruler of all Egypt (Ge 41:37ff)

g) Saved Egypt, Israel, and other nations from perishing during famine.

4. Judah became a tribe from which the line of David and many kings descended, included the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.

5. Solomon son of David became a very wise, wealthy and great king that was sought out by other rulers like the Queen of Sheba. God promised him wisdom, riches, honor, and a long life if he continued in righteousness, and it was fulfilled. (2 Chron 9:13-29).

6. Esther became Queen of Persia (Est 2:18) and all the Jews in the Persian realm were blessed through her, because through her intervention they were not annihilated.

7. Mordecai became a high official of King Xerxes as well, and the same is true of him that all the Jewish people were blessed by him, just as King Xerxes was blessed when Mordecai reported the two, would-be assassins that intended to kill the king.

8. Daniel became ruler of the province of Babylon 

a) The head prefect over all the wise men there. 
b) He remained through the reign of 5 kings

c) Influenced those kings for the glory of God, and they were blessed through him.
d) He wielded tremendous power and influence
e) He served with great honor and distinction

9. The Lord Jesus - The blessing of Abraham is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the “Seed” of Abraham (Galatians 3:16).

10. The apostle Paul brought the gospel to the entire known Roman world of the first century (Rom 15:19), many people came to know Christ through him, many were healed, delivered from demons, and many churches were planted through him. Many people in Israel also received support from the Gentiles during the famine through the collection that Paul took up and the offering he brought to Jerusalem.

How This All Applies to Us Today
This blessing continues today in the life of every true disciple of Jesus Christ, possessing the faith of Abraham that led him to obey God, since we are descendants of Abraham, the children of promise (Gal 3:7,14, 29; 4:31).

1) The promise to bless us 

a) Blessed spiritually with justification and with every spiritual blessing (Eph 1:3)

b) Blessed in every area of our temporal and eternal lives

c) “…the land [God promised to Abraham] is the type of the better land; the nation of the spiritual nation, the temporal blessing of the eternal blessing.”

2) The promise that we will have a great name (reputation) 

3) The promise that we would have many descendants, especially spiritual ones

4) God will bless those who bless us

5) God will curse those who curse us 

a) “Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned.” (Psa 34:21)

b) Also see Ps 35:1-8, 26

c) “God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.” (2Th 1:6-7)

6) We will be a blessing to others whom we associate with

a) Not merely a recipient of blessing, but a medium or conduit of blessing to others.

b) Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” So this is not a “bless me” message, but one that clearly has others in mind.

Closing Words
This is the gospel that was announced to Abraham. “The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: ‘All nations will be blessed through you.’ So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith,” (Gal 3:8-9).

This is what we were redeemed for. “He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promised of the Spirit.” (Gal 3:14).

Attribution notice: Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible NIV, copyright Zondervan, used by permission. Image courtesy of Jan van 't Hoff Dordrecht, copyright 2023 Gospel Images, www.gospelimages.com, used by permission.

Author's note: If you enjoyed this post, please also see the following: Being Blessable, The Blessings of Being in Christ, The Afflictions of the Righteous, God Exalts the Humble and Brings Down the Proud, and The "Never" Promises to the Righteous. Also see What's Wrong with the Prosperity Gospel? You may find the Main Directory for this blog at Home, and you may also access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master." 

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe. 

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.