Love from God

Bible Study

Ecclesiastes 3:11 ESV

Philippians 1:6 ESV

I am constantly amazed that groups of people who identify themselves as believers in God Jesus segment their beliefs into categories and they choose not to believe major parts of Old and New Testament scripture.

For example, in John 3:16 we are told God loves the world and sent His Son to save. In I John 4:7-8 we are told love one another.

It’s straightforward. The Koine Greek is clear. There is no hidden secret.

So…if God loves the world and every person in the world and we are told to love everyone, what’s the problem?

Why do some believers think they do not have to love everyone?

Regardless of what they believe we are called to love.

The rest is completely and wholly up to God.

Wise King Solomon knew and wrote that in God’s time everything would be made beautiful.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.”

We do not need to help God by putting our own “spin” on what’s considered to be acceptable. As a matter of fact I am more grateful that I can say that in the end God will work everything out in me.

Phil 1:6 says, “I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

God will complete everything in time.

That includes my somewhat erratic thought processes that impede me from time to time. I am aware that even in that God will loose the chains that bind my lack of patience for the narrow-minded who believe they are right and everyone else (including God) is wrong.

God loves everyone and we are called to love everyone as well.

Here’s an example of the rub. When politicians (or anyone really) proclaim they believe in God but their claim is made nearly null and void by their actions, we are faced with a decision.

I am reminded of one of the earliest principles I was taught.

Truth is not a relative term.

While relativists would argue against that statement, as a theologian I deal with the nature and character of God.

God is light and in God there is no darkness. Even symbolically God cannot lie. God is love and God loves.

Theodicy is the term used when God reconciles evil with goodness. God is benevolent and just. In the end, evil will not win.

I know…I am an eternal optimist.

In Seminary we were required to take personality tests (several) and I was warned that I am naive. Okay, tell me something I didn’t know.

So I thought…it could be worse. I could believe everyone was out to get me. Instead I believe God is my gallant warrior and the Spirit of God protects and defends me wherever I go.

My dad knew I was little for my age and the women in my family are very small. He gave me the gift of teaching me that God can do anything.

God can even slay our dragons. By God’s divine providence the Spirit of God is active and powerful in the universe.

Always.

In God, Deborah

acrazyjourney.com