Living In The Fullness Of God's Love

"Today's Devotion" For June 17, 2005

Read: I John 4:16-18; Ephesians 3:7-21

LIVING IN THE FULLNESS OF GOD'S LOVE

"God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. In this way love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like Him." (I Jn. 4:16-17)

If anyone has a doubt as to whether or not the terrorists of the world are serving God, I would draw their attentions to the words of the Apostle John above. Their actions not only stand in stark contrast to these words inspired by the Holy Spirit, but are 180-degrees out from those of the men and women serving in uniform for the United States around the world. Over and over again, we hear accounts of young men, particularly, desiring to "make a difference" and defeat evil and tyranny. We don't hear those men and women seeking to "kill others" in God's name. Instead we hear of their desires to bring peace and security to those who are living in fear of death by those who claim to be serving "God."

At the heart of the equation of the "War on Terrorism" is the issue of death and dying. Can there be any doubt that people fear death? Personally, I find it hard to imagine that a suicide bomber/terrorist is eager to die. At some point they must convince themselves that dying for "God" brings peace and prosperity. At the same time, the tragedy is that their ultimate goal is that such a suicidal and destructive act would allow them to enter "heaven." Their fear of not going to "heaven" appears to be stronger than their fear of dying. Somehow, even the terrorists realize that they must have some way of atoning for their sins before a just, righteous, and holy God who will hold them accountable for their sins. Of course the terrorist mindset stands in stark contrast to the mindset of those people who live in denial of their consciences and vaguely hope that there is nothing else when they die.

To a certain degree there's not a whole lot of distance between believers in Christ and the religiously oriented terrorists when it comes to the recognition that we will all be brought to account for our sins before a just and righteous God. By nature, both groups of people understand that there is a Day of Judgment and that our very nature is at odds with the One who will judge us. At the same time, what separates God's redeemed children from the "suicide-terrorists" is that we don't fear death and His judgment because we know that He loves us and forgives us of all our sins through faith in Jesus Christ. While some might argue that these terrorists don't fear death, I would argue that they fear it, just not as much as dying and not getting to heaven because they haven't fully atoned for their sins. God's redeemed children in Christ, on the other hand, revel in John's reminder that "God is love," and that to know God is to experience His grace, mercy, love, forgiveness, compassion, and presence in our lives as a loving Father. He is made real to us in Christ. In Christ His "agape," His undeserved, unflinching, unfailing, irrepressible, all-encompassing, unconditional love, comes to us and fills us with hope and peace. For a great many of those of our fellow citizens serving in the military, it's just that love from God which moves them to risk their lives in the defense and for the freedom of others half a world away - total strangers, yet people Christ died for.

Regardless of what kind of service to others we engage in, we are motivated by God's love for us. People who know they're forgiven and have true joy and hope for living and are confident that death is "swallowed up in victory" in Christ, have a great desire to serve others and share that love. Everywhere we look we see people who have never really experienced love, nor have ever truly loved, because they don't know Jesus. So whether we serve in uniform, put on a coat and tie, a dress and heels, or however we go about our daily work and living, as God's dearly loved children in Christ we serve others so they can experience God's love for them as we experience it everyday. Our service seeks to lead others to see the Father as we see Him - not as an angry judge, but a loving, gracious, and forgiving Father. Whether it's those whom we see daily or the suicidal "religious-terrorist" blowing themselves and others up in a vain attempt to serve "God" and "save" themselves, we are called by God's love in Christ to bring the love and hope of faith in Jesus Christ into the lives of those who fear death and judgment. While we might have our doubts about the price being paid to free total strangers from such tyranny, we gain our courage and conviction because of Jesus' willing sacrifice to free us from the tyranny of Sin, Death, and Satan. That's what living in the fullness of God's love is all about.

Prayer: Father, I can never truly understand appreciate Your "agape" this side of eternal life. I am in awe of it, especially when I see it at work in my life, as You make me Your own in Jesus Christ, warts and all. As You make me complete in You through Your love to us in Jesus, please help me to be an instrument of Your "agape" to others, both my fellow believer and those who don't yet know Jesus. Be with those of my countrymen and women who are serving this nation and You in the fight against the tyranny of terrorism which purports to serve You by killing others in Your name. Bless them with courage and the hope that their service and sacrifice is not in vain, but that You will use it to bring glory to You and Your love to those who need it. Keep them safe in Your mighty arms, and lead them to truly live in Your love. Hear me, Father, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.