Recently I have been thinking about and challenged to start a blog (thanks Vanessa). The main purpose of this blog is going to be to share the amazing ways God is working in my life and challenging me to be a living example of HIS love, trust, and faith. None of this would even begin to be possible without God's amazing work in my life. I am a continued work in process and will continue to be. I would hope and pray that any words of wisdom I share would be an encouragement to anyone reading this and would literally be God inspired.
Now on to what I have felt God laid on my heart several weeks ago and what I am just now getting around to sharing... TRUTH AND LOVE! In my discipleship group we have slowly read through 1, 2, and 3 John. I had never taken the time to slowly read through and process these amazing books of the Bible. Several things in particular that stood out to me were the many times that truth and love were mentioned together.
2 John Verses 2-3 "Because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and for Jesus Christ, the Father's Son, will be with you in truth and love."
After reading this verse and many other verses with the same theme, I decided to dig a little deeper into the meaning of these words....
LOVE:
- Presented in Scripture as the very nature of God
- The Bible makes the unique revelation that God in his very nature and essence is love
- All human love, whether Godward on manward has its source in God. Love in its true reality and power is seen only in the light of Calvary.
TRUTH:
- An integration of character, and an adherence of virtue
- The concept of truth is assumed to be derived from the character of God, and is the exact opposite of the concept of lying.
So what does this mean when we put these two words together???
1 John 4:16
"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him."
Not only is God love but He is also truth. The very definition of both the words truth and love, are the essence and character of God. I don't know why, but by digging deeper into this was such an amazing revelation for me. After coming to a better understanding of this, I feel like the Lord is challenging me to be better about living my life with Jesus's truth and love in my life.
1 John 4:7 "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God."
Philippians 4:9 "Whatever you have learned or received or hear from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."
Without God's love and truth and peace illustrated in my life, there is not way I could ever show love, truth, and peace to others. That is why I want to put into practice all of the truths and beautiful insights I have learned and received from Jesus. This is my challenge right now and I hope inspiration for you as well.
Blessings,
Kate
I just REALLY encouraged u to do a blog after u expressed ur desire 2 to do one.... and I'm glad I did! Thanks for sharing! Its hard not to share (w the whole world) what we r learning from our "discipleship group" .....love the picture! And love the username! Makes a great nickname! <3
ReplyDeleteWow, Kate! What a neat way to express and record what is going on in your life-what you're learning and mulling over. We can always inspire, prompt and encourage others, especially with such a spirit of love ruling and motivating us.
ReplyDeleteLove you so very much!
Aunt Christi