The Love Connection

Jesus loves me this I know
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong.
They are weak but He is strong

Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me --
For the Bible tells me so! 

A most precious children's song, and aren't those children just darlin' when they're singing it?!  It is a song we all most probably learned as a child.  In fact, it was probably one of the first songs we learned and, I'm sure, taught to the children in our own lives.  But, have we ever really listened to the words and really thought about those sweet, reassuring words? ...and most of all, do we believe those endearing words?  ... even past - especially past - childhood?  WITH CONFIDENCE, we should!

Webster's Dictionary on ... LOVE:  noun - 1) strong affection or liking for someone or something; 2) a passionate affection of one person for another.  verb - to woo or embrace.

Think about these definitions, because I want to give you another twist on LOVE.  There is a man by the name of Josh McDowell who is a noted author and speaker, especially to teenagers.  He speaks and has spoken to many, many groups, and in particular at conferences involving teenagers.  The definition he came up with for LOVE, after much research, is this - now listen carefully - Love is to:

1)   Provide for one's self or another - - Physically - Mentally - Spiritually - Relationally

- AND TO -

2)   Protect one's self or another - - by cherishing and caring for Simply put, the equation is - PROVIDE + PROTECT = LOVE !!!

..and isn't that just exactly what our awesome God does for us?!  We know that all of God's commandments are the very expressions of just how much He loves us - and whoever keeps those commandments will be "provided for" and "protected".  God loves us - His children - so much that in Proverbs 3:12 and Hebrews 12:5-11 we are reminded that He will discipline us as the Good Parent that He is.  We may think NOT FUN!, but, man, what "protection" He "provides" through this kind of LOVE.

"LUV" (that's LOVE Southern style...) - let's talk about this thing called LOVE .....

 

L = LAVISH.  It all started here - with GOD'S LAVISH, UNCONDITIONAL (underline that word!)

LOVE which He lavishes on us.  So, while we're into definitions, let's look at a few more of these words.  What a word is the word LAVISH - to give generously and very abundantly.  And, what about UNCONDITIONAL - do we even realize the meaning of that word?! NO terms and conditions, NO if's, and's, or but's, NOTHING, NOT ONE THING, added.  And, finally, the word used many, many times in the Bible to describe God's love for us is the word LOVINGKINDNESS - Old-fashioned? - maybe, but just listen to the meaning - NEVER-failing, ALWAYS-faithful LOVE! 

So, simply put, God loves us ("We, the people...") with LAVISH, UNCONDITIONAL LOVINGKINDNESS that - now listen to this - cannot even be measured!  Wow!  We cannot do anything to take God's love away.  We cannot even ever be so bad or so mean.  God loves us, and it's here to stay!  Isaiah 43:4 and 7; John 3:16; 1 John 3:1; 1 John 4:7-21.  God loves us even when and if we do not love Him; but, let me tell you that we are, in fact, commanded to love God.  In fact, it is the first "greatest commandment".  Take a look at Deuteronomy 6:5; Mark 12:28-30.  And, on a side note, take a trip through the Psalms (Psalm 86:15; Psalm 117:2; .....) and see just how full it is of King David's praises of God's love.

 

O = OURSELVES.   We must learn to truly love ourselves by forgiving our own selves and by being truthful with our own selves.  We must "provide for"  and "protect" our own selves.  Yet, we must not think so highly of ourselves.  It's a definite balancing act. 

Another noted author (and you may have heard of him) is Oswald Chambers, who on LOVE writes, "Love is spontaneous, but it has to be maintained by discipline."  Mr. Chambers also said, "The first thing God does is to knock pretense and the pious pose right out of me.  The Holy Spirit reveals that God loved me not because I was lovable, but because it was His nature to do so." Ponder that one a moment!  See also Psalm 139:14; Proverbs 27:19; Ephesians 5:2 and 29; 2 Timothy 1:7.

 -- Yes, we are spelling out L-O-V-E, but before I get to the "V", I must talk about the "E" first, so...

 

E = EACH OTHER AND EVERYONE.  Matthew 22:39 refers to them as our "neighbor".  See also Matthew 5:44; Mark 12:31 (where it is listed as the second greatest commandment); Luke 6:27; John 13:35; James 2:8. ...and guess what, we are to love everyone UNCONDITIONALLY ... just as Christ loves us! 

I want to share a story with you I read once called "THE DARTS" (author unknown).  You may have already read it, but it bears repeating:

"A young lady named Sally, relates an experience she had in a seminary class given by a teacher, a Dr. Smith.  She says Dr. Smith was known for his elaborate object lessons.  One particular day, Sally walked into the class and knew they were in for a fun day.  On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many darts.  Dr. Smith told the students to draw a picture of someone that they disliked or someone who had made them angry, and he would allow them to throw darts at the person's picture.  A friend of Sally's drew a picture of a girl who had stolen that girl's boyfriend.  Another friend drew a picture of his little brother.  Sally drew a picture of a former friend, putting a great deal of detail into her drawing, even adding pimples on the face. Sally was pleased at the overall effect she had achieved.  The class lined up and began throwing darts, with much laughter and hilarity. Some of the students threw their darts with such force that their targets were ripping apart.  Sally looked forward to her turn, and was filled with disappointment when Dr. Smith, because of time limits, asked the students to return to their seats.  As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she didn't have a chance to throw any darts at her target, Dr. Smith began removing the target from the wall.  Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus.  A complete hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus - holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes were pierced.  Dr. Smith said only these words ... 'In as much as you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto Me.' - Matthew 25:40".  (... think on that for a moment!)

 

Now for the "V" = VOLITION.  Even though we are commanded to love God, love ourselves, love others, it is still, however, by grace (God's, that is), ours to choose! 

Our choice to love God, to love ourselves, to love others, and we can and may certainly choose not to - but let's be reminded that once we become Believers - once we become Christians - we have to remember that certain things also become and are our responsibility .... faith, prayer, forgiveness, and yes, LOVE! 

But I also want us to be reminded of what an absolute PRIVILEGE these "responsibilities" are, too.  So, choose!  Joshua 24:15 reads, in part: "...choose for yourselves today whom you will serve .... but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

 

One final take on LOVE.  In Proverbs 10:12 and 1 Peter 4:8, we are reminded that LOVE covers a "multitude" of sins.  Amen?  Amen!!! 

So, it must become a PRIORITY (something to be given important attention) HABIT

1- anything done often and, hence, easily;

2- a usual way of doing something;

3- a practice - a PRIORITY HABIT! 

We must make it just that!  How do we do it then? 

By a DAILY WALK with God the Father, through God the Son, and filled by the Power of God the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:16-26!

Singer Cindy Morgan wrote and sings a beautiful song called, "The Loving Kind" - just read her chorus:

  I don't know why You love me
  Oh, Lord, it's such a mystery
  All I can say - all I can find
  You're the loving kind - the loving kind

  When I fall and when I stray
  Your love it captures me always
  All I can see - all I can find
  You're the loving kind - the loving kind

Amen? AMEN!

Kelli