Ever Increasing Love

The following blog entry is compliments of Pastor Leon Hiebert, Community Care Pastor of Generations Church, Andover, KS

Scripture: John 3:6 “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.
John 14:21 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.” (Note verses 23 and 24)

Observation: In John 3:16 Jesus is speaking with an inquisitive seeker. We read that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. Becoming a Christian is responding to the great love that God has for us. It is singing, “Oh how HE loves me!” We love Him because He first loved us! We are responding to His great love for us.  However in John 14:21 Jesus is speaking to His disciples. Here it is God responding to our great love for Him! We have come to know and love Him. Our love for Him is clearly seen in that His commands are priority in our lives. It is God singing, “Oh how he loves me!”

Application: It is an ever widening spiral. At the center is His great love for me. He gives His Son to die for me. I respond in love, beginning to learn and keep His commands. He sees my response of love and is so joyful that He reveals even more of Himself and His plan for me. I respond in such appreciation and amazement that I love Him even more! I begin to sacrifice my wants in order to fulfill His wants. He sees my increased love for Him and He reveals His heart to me. I am so enamored with His great heart of love that I am willing to decrease so that He may increase. And on, and on it goes! Ever more and more loving revelation on His part; ever more and more loving surrender on my part. It is a ever growing, never ending story of love.

Prayer: Lord, loving you more, bringing greater joy to your heart—that is what life is all about! Now, how can I make you smile today? Amen.