How Much Do You Love God?

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

How much do you love the Lord God?  Actually, Scripture tells us that love does not begin with us, it begins with God, and is shown in love for others.  A somewhat surprising section of Scripture on love is found in 1 John 4:10-11.  There we read, “10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

 

You see, God tells us that love begins with His love for us, love that is so great that He sent His only Son as a sacrifice to save us from our sins and to save us for eternal life with Him in heaven.  We aren’t saved by loving God or loving others.  We are redeemed, or bought back from our rebellion, by the sacrifice and victory of Jesus. 

 

But, we are still called to love God, especially in response to His love for us.  So I ask the question again, “How much to you love the Lord God?”  I ask this because I read this week about a lady in Syria who believes in God’s love for her in Jesus and in response to God’s love has been sharing that good news with others.  This lady, whose name is hidden to protect her identity but called Zahra in the account I read, had come to faith in Jesus and was sharing Jesus with others. 

 

“Zahra lives in northeastern Syria and serves as a ministry volunteer for Lutheran Hour Ministries—Lebanon. Last summer she and a friend traveled west to Aleppo to reach out with God’s love to the people in a community of refugees. Not everyone welcomed their Christian witness. While Zahra and her friend were telling a Bible story to a group of children, several men burst in and beat both of them severely. One blow dislocated one of Zahra’s vertebrae, damaging her spinal cord, and she lost consciousness. Zahra’s friend was killed. Believing both to be dead, their attackers dragged them into the street and threw them down beside a trash barrel. But Zahra regained consciousness and was rushed to a medical center for treatment.”  Reports say that “Zahra is recovering. Her back healed quickly, but it might be some time before she regains full use of her right hand, which was also injured.”  Those who work with Lutheran Hour Ministries -  Lebanon now report that, Zahra, “‘never ceases to serve the Lord! Zahra has been visiting schools!’”

 

Some American Christians complain (I may be one of them) that our culture is turning away from the traditional Judeo-Christian values which were such a major part of the founding of our country.  It can be uncomfortable today to tell others of God’s love.  But, I don’t know anyone personally in our country who has been attacked for sharing Jesus’ love with children.  Could I put my life on the line to share with others the saving love of God which cost His Son His life?

 

This year I am asking people to keep track of God’s daily blessings for which they are thankful.  After reading about Zahra I am thankful for the freedom we have in our country to practice our Christian faith.  I am also thankful for people who risk their safety to share the saving love of God with others. 

 

I am also led to wonder about my commitment to God who gave everything for me.  How much do I love God?  It is a question worth asking, so that we can live faithful lives of faith and love in response to Jesus’ sacrificial love for us.

 

A Child of God, Seeking to love God with All my Life

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  Please remember, I would love to have some of you share in announcements at the end of worship something for which you are thankful.  Please call me at 841-4066 or e-mail me to let me know you would like to share.

 

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ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR’ -   I am sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to all St. John members and friends whose e-mails I have.  (I am always adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.)  However, if you don’t want to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for this message. . . Or, if you know someone who would like to receive one of these e-mails, please send me their e-mail address.

 

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