THEME: THE CHRISTIAN FAITH REVISITED (THE TREE OF LIFE) 

PREAMBLE 

Glory be to God in the highest.  Yesterday, we had a glorious introduction to the Re-visitation to the Christian Faith. We undertook a brief survey of the Faith and concluded that the Christian Faith is God’s Invitation to Fallen Man for reconciliation, redemption, and restoration of glory through faith in Jesus Christ, the Son Given. The Faith also constitutes an open door to the Divine Nature, the righteousness of God, re-entry into the Garden of Eden—a spiritual existence of purity and perfection, and access to the Tree of Life with a further bonus of Rise of Glory in the very likeness and fullness of God. In Jesus Christ, man obtains opportunity not only for sinless existence but also for the fulfillment of man’s original desire to rise to be like God, yea to be God. 

We observed further that the Christian Faith offers a new form of existence—a Life of Peace, righteousness, faithfulness, perfection, and risen glory through Divine Supernatural Capacity, Abilities, Performance, and Glory. We noted in this direction that entry into and performance in the Divine Supernatural Life of New Man, New Life, and New Glory is by Faith in Jesus Christ, the Scriptures, and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. This Faith in Jesus Christ for the New Life as we know comes through belief in the Gospel, the Word of God, and the Voice of God. 

The Word of God is Spirit, Life, and Power—it is fundamentally Supernatural. It is of a higher spiritual nature, performance, perfection, and glory than the faith, power, performance, and glory and for that matter fulfilment possible with faith, power performance, and glory in the Old First “Adamic Order.”  In any case, the first Adam spiritual nature order and its glory is earthly, shortish, corruptible, and impermanent. It soon flies away. The grave, corruption, decay, and extinction is the natural order. 

We concluded that Faith of the Christian Faith is not just spiritual; It is of a Divine and Supernatural Order, unique and distinct from the human spirit-power system. That being the case, it is not acceptable and, in any case, dangerous to substitute a human-spirit-mind-sense faith system with the Divine heavenly supernatural faith order.  

The lesson we learnt is that FAITH of the Christian Faith is heavenly, must be exercised in the Divine spirit-power system and not be interpreted or pursued in the human spirit-mind power system.  Life in the flesh reveals the scripture is death. They that operate in the flesh cannot please God (Romans 8:1,5-8, 12-14). That is to say, if we live dependent upon human spirit, mind, power, and wisdom, we cannot establish meaningful ongoing fellowship with the Son and the Holy Spirit and thus, the Father.  The topic we have for today is LOVE versus LOVE. 

 

INTRODUCTION 

As we stated yesterday, it is not our aim in this series to consider positive versus negative, good versus evil conduct as such. In today’s topic, LOVE versus LOVE, all we want to do is to show what Love consists of in the Christian Faith. We seek to define what is expected of believers as they live the CHRISTIAN LOVE LIFE as the people of God and as servants of God. For the Church is the Household and Servants of God, the People in whom God dwells in the spirit in the world. 

We believe in this connection that knowledge and understanding of Christian Love will help both clergy and the laity not only to understand the standards of Love expected of them but also its distinctive features as against love in the human religious, cultural, psychological, philosophical, and secular love systems of the world. Thus, instead of the usual definition and distinction between three types of love—agape love(divine), filial love(brotherly), and erotic love or romantic love—we shall be considering the nature, meaning, and significance of four kinds of Expressions of Christian Love inherent in the Christian Faith. 

The four types of Christian Love Expressions are: 

a. The Love of God 

b. Love of Neighbor 

c. Love in Worship 

d. Love in Service 

We shall examine each briefly. Before doing this, let us examine briefly the nature, meaning, and significance of Christian Love or Love of the Christian Faith. 

 

LOVE IS SPIRIT 

Essentially, Love like Faith, is Spirit. It is a manifesting essence and demonstration of WHAT GOD IS and How He Relates to His Creation, particularly the Church and humanity as a whole.  The Bible reveals this in 1st John 4:7-8: “Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is BORN of GOD; and KNOWETH GOD. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for GOD IS LOVE. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 

Verses 9-12 

“In this the love of God was manifested towards us, that God has sent His only begotten Son in the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.” 

The Christian Faith is an expression of God’s Spirit and nature of love, His Concern, and compassion towards man, to the extent not only of sending His Son to be the propitiation of man’s sins and end man’s sorrowful state of loss of glory, corruption, hopelessness, and death but also create man anew by opening His very Divine Nature, Love, Power, and Glory to man through His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus defined the ultimate standard: “Greater love has no man than to lay down his life for his neighbor.” That restated means, Greater love has God for Man that He gave His Son, and His Son gave His life for Man (John 15:13; John 3:16). That is to say that the Divine Love demonstrated and inherited in and through Jesus Christ has special dynamics—of a breadth, length, depth, and height that passes human knowledge and understanding. (Ephesians 3:17-20) 

The last point we would call attention to concerning the Divine Spirit of Love of our God and the Faith is the Spirit of Sacrifice, Sharing, and True Identification with People, the poor, and needy, the weak, helpless, and oppressed. This constitutes the basis of Christ on the Cross, the New Birth, the Establishment of the Church and the Mission of the Church on Earth. 

“As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world and for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory, which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they  may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father!  The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” (John 17:18-26). The Christian Faith is a mission of Divine Love. It is a faith, determined in, built upon, and pursued in Love. The Church Mission is a Mission of Love.  The Church’s message is Love. The Church’s reward is Love, Life, Liberty, and Glory (cf. John 1:16). 

 

THE LOVE OF GOD (Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37) 

The Christian Faith presents God not merely as the Creator and Father of all spirits—the source of spirit nature, energy, strength, faith, power—but also a Spirit Person who demands acknowledgment, honor, and Love. God seeks and is delighted in meaningful relationship and effective fellowship with Man. He is the rewarder of those WHO DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM. God loves and expects man, created in His image to worship and build fellowship with Him in Reverence, Love, Obedience, and Honor of Him. The whole concept of restoration and re-entry into the Garden of Eden we posited yesterday implies not only the return to God-man Fellowship but also the Mutual Pleasure of love and joy in that relationship. 

The Christian Faith has opened the door for this fellowship in spirit and in truth and even more so for God to dwell in man and with man on Earth. The importance of Love of and for God in this mutually beneficial relationship is so crucial and critical that God Made Love both a commandment and law in the Old Testament – Man – Creator, God-People-relationship. To change this Law or Commandment arrangement, God has arranged to shed His Love Spirt abroad the hearts of His People in the New Testament arrangement. That is to say, in the New Testament arrangement of the Christian Faith Love is not out of choice and compulsion but a matter of indwelling Spirit-Nature, the reflection and true manifestation of the New Nature of Man Born Again through Jesus Christ and baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost. In other words, the Love of God as spirit nature, the condition of heart, and mind has been settled in the New Testament Man of the Christian Faith.  He that love is born of God for God is love. 

The Love of God and Love of Neighbor is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets according to the scriptures (Matthew 22:37-40). By this holy Divine Love, shall we attain perfection and have courage and boldness on the day of judgement (1st John 4:16-19). We love Him our God because He first loved us. We overcome the world by faith. We win the world by Love. 

Finally, on the Love of God, let us consider these few scriptures: 

i. John 3:16—Love as Mission 

ii. Galatians 5:22—Love as Fruit of the New Nature 

iii. John. 15:8-14—Love as Proof of Discipleship 

iv. John 21:15-17—Love as Spirit of Servanthood and Minister of the Church 

v. Ephesians 5:25-27—The LOVE of GOD for the Church; Love as Testimony of Mission 

 

THE LOVE OF NEIGHBOUR 

(Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:39) 

As we have observed, critical to the Christian Faith is Relationship: relationship with God, relationship of Love in the Church, and relationship of love in society. Peace on Earth and Goodwill on Earth being the goal. Love is the binding cord in every relationship, and in fact is the Desire of God for Men and for peace, security, and progress in society. Man as a social being requires the security of life, assurance of peace, and tranquility, meaningful, profitable, and fulfilling in relationship in the family, and in society as a whole. 

Unfortunately, there is not only instinctive insecurity, fear, and yearnings in the inner man fallen from glory, there is the effect of sin and disobedience, and the instability and uncertainty caused by death, or separation form the life source in God.  These combine to create insecurity, selfishness, and wickedness within the hearth of man, not to talk of the pervading influence and instability due to the hostility between the devil and man. 

The interplay of the forces of sin, selfishness, and wickedness on one part, the manipulation, oppression, and wickedness of the devil on another in an environment of resistance in nature and Divine Wrath, is to create a state of uncertainty, risk, and non-fulfillment, a state of war in fact where peace, stability, progress, happiness, and joy can only be established with reconciliation with God, Peace, and Goodwill determined and practiced in the framework of love, good neighborliness, co-operation, and unity in society. 

The Commandment, “Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself” is the open door and safest condition for abating evil and upholding good in society and minimizing the threat of sin, selfishness, and wickedness, the deceitful and manipulative works of Satan, the challenges in nature and the wrath of God. While human cooperation and tolerance go far in resolving the issues of life, peace, and stability in society, Love is the Spirit Power and Mechanism with the greatest potential for managing personal, corporate, and societal challenges. 

Love has its own internal dynamics of peace, stability, and joy such as is evident in human agape, filial, and erotic love. However, when love is found in the love, knowledge, fear, and obedience of God there is not only an added joy of security and personal fulfillment in righteousness and Divine pleasure. There is also the open door, direct Divine Input of love and joy, spirit, strength, power, and Fullness of Assurance in the spirit, heart, and mind. This makes life secure, peaceful, and enjoyable.  “Peace, I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 19:27) 

Now the love of neighbor as oneself is, under normal circumstances, not an easy matter. Fallen man—insecure, selfish, wicked at heart—under pressure from the survival instinct, due to personal weaknesses, fear of wickedness, and ‘works of darkness” in society, he cannot easily promote peace and goodwill except under the assurance and protection from society and above all from God the Creator. In other words, Love of Neighbor, as a commandment, can best be obeyed and demonstrated under The Divine Will, Power, Sustenance, and reward from God. It is here that Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death on the Cross becomes not only a model, but also an assuring phenomenon providing strength and guiding light for the sacrifices entailed. 

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance; character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:1-8) 

In the world of darkness, and the shadow of death, perversion, and hate, violence and wickedness, insecurity, and challenges in the pursuit of happiness, peace, and life—Jesus teaches and enjoins sacrificial love, patience, endurance, and hope, love, and prayer for the enemy, the second cheek, extra-mile and non-vengeance and thus, working for the peace, prosperity, and good of society as in the Davidic system (John 15:18-27; Psalm 122). Thus, the thrust in the Christian commandment “Love thy neighbor as thyself” is based on the surrendered and Submissive Will of the believer strengthened, led, guided, accompanied, assured, and comforted by the Holy Spirit. 

In the end, the Love of God and Love of Neighbor founded in and established upon trust in God, faith in Jesus Christ and dependence upon the Holy Spirit not only establishes in obedience and righteousness but also in the Love, Power, and Joy of the LORD. This is different from the Mosaic religious human system of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. In other words, the fulfillment of the Law for righteousness and the blessedness of God depends on the enduing power, accompanying presence, and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Thus, as Jesus prescribed, except a man is Born Again and is Filled with the Holy Spirit he/she cannot walk in the fullness of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Faith. 

 

LOVE IN WORSHIP (Psalm 122) 

As we have already established, Love in the Christian Faith is defined by God’s own Love, Will, and Purposes for the redemption, restoration of glory and the re-establishment of abiding relationship with Man as was the case before the Fall of Man. This is what the Cross and the Blood of Atonement, the Calling, and commissioning of the Church is all about. With the restoration of fellowship, loving, and working relationship with man, all that is required for Man is to worship God, Love, and Fear Him, keep His Commandments and give Him all the glory. This is the whole duty of man: to worship and serve God only (Matthew 4:11).  But not only that, the Bible teaches further in Ephesians 1: 4-12, that we who have been elected, redeemed, and adopted should live for the praise and Glory of God’s Grace upon us.  

In short, God wants the redeemed of the LORD to show forth thanks, appreciation, praise, honor, and glory to God in Worship. Worship in that case, is not merely all expression of love, joy, and hope in God but an expression of Joy in the return to the original celebration of the Creator and dependence on Him for Life, Spirit, Strength, and all.  That is to say, worship must come out of acknowledgement, honor, and Love of God, for Himself, for what He is, the Creator and who He is to us, the Saviour, Redeemer, Restorer, and above all Our Father.  

In short, worship must be based on love and honor of and glory to God, not on what He can do, is doing or will do for us. That makes worship materialistic, mean and perhaps, vanity, the call of His Name in vain. For example, we can celebrate His being Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Nissi, El Shaddai, Shalom, we can talk of Jesus Christ the Saviour, Healer, and Deliverer, with a view of benefiting from the fullness of His Grace and Benevolence and Providence without having any genuine Love, Concern, and Commitment to His Cause, His Kingdom agenda, and Glory on Earth. 

We can come to Church, sing and dance, preach, teach, and give with the main aim, if not the sole aim of how we can benefit spiritually, emotionally, physically, and materially from our connection with Him, without any serious burden, commitment to and hope in His Cause, His Kingdom or His Glory on Earth. When materialism, fleshly, and earthly gain take precedence in Christian worship and service, the enemy takes over and God is displeased. But they say that; “But they that WORSHIP the LORD must WORSHIP HIM in SPIRIT and in TRUTH.”  This is the kind of worship acceptable and pleasing to God (John 4:23-24, 31-36). 

 

LOVE IN SERVICE 

This brings us to LOVE IN SERVICE, the last of the four expressions of Love in the Faith.  In Mathew 4:11, we learn that it is written, “Thy shalt worship the LORD Thy GOD, and Him only shalt thou serve.” Christian service demand not mere love but a deep Spiritual Love in Christ comprising of three other forms of love expressions, Love of God, Love of Neighbor, and Love in Worship. Since the Faith itself is built upon Love, God’s Love for Man, Man fallen in glory, lost, and perishing, dead and dying, the service of God implies a deep IMMERSION IN CHRIST—and baptism in His Love, Passion, Spirit-Strength, and Dedication. 

It is this Love for Christ, commitment to His Cause, and baptism in Him, His Love, Passion, and Dedication (Hebrews 5:1-10; 3:14; 12:1-4) that the disciples got immersed (John 6:44-70). Many a disciple deserted camp while He was working with them in the flesh.  Similarly, many more have equally parted grounds with Him over the centuries, though they wear collar and cape, have long titles and thousands of followers, built cathedrals, mansions, and written books about Him. 

Many have not sought for nor found True, Effectual Identification, and Meaningful Relationship with Christ—the Lamb of God. They reject the Cross, the sacrificial love, and suffering in the service of God. Some also do not accept God’s Human Redemption Cause and Christ’s Kingdom agenda on earth. They preach, Jesus for fleshly and earthly gain, but not the Heavenly Kingdom on Earth. In other words, there can be much activity in the name of Jesus Christ, yet such activity may not have been determined and pursued in the Love, the Kingdom of God, and His Christ, the Praise and Glory of God on Earth.  

Love in the Christian Faith is a Divine Heavenly Proposition—unique, different, and distinct from the fleshly earthly love, that on the whole involves Reciprocity and self-Gratification. The Bible says we love God because He first loved us, gave Himself to us in His Son Jesus Christ who died for us while we were yet in sin, dead, without strength and without hope. Because He so loved us, we ought also to love our fellowmen and the world in the same manner as He loved and gave Himself a ransom for us. 

This love of the neighbor and the world cannot be fulfilled in the imagination, understanding, or working power of the human spirit and human earthly standards of love and life. Indeed, the human spirit and love in the flesh cannot prevail in the Heavenly Ordered Christian Order. We need the Incarnate Love of God in Christ and the Love Spirt Power from the Holy Spirit and the spirit force in the scriptures to be able to rise and attain perfection and full expression of Divine (Heavenly) Love on Earth, building the Church, and building the Kingdom of God on Earth.  Building Life and a new human society on earth by Christian requirements and standards by definition demands Deep Immersion in the Love of Christ which passeth knowledge. 

The Bible makes a summary presentation of the Love in the Christian Faith as follows: Ephesians 3:17-19 “That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height  to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God”