How do we know that we are in
the right track in life? We will never know as long as we see ourselves with
the eyes of the world and its philosophy. We can know only when we see through
the eyes of God. He is eternally loving and we are eternally in need of that
love which was manifested in the Son’s death on the cross of Calvary. Through
the death Christ was risen to life. Our God is merciful and compassionate. He
not only demands us to love Him but also gives the power to obey Him. Truth known
is not obedience but truth done is. Our God knows our heart, so when we love Him
in heart we shall be known by the Designer of Love.
“Now about food sacrificed to
idols: We know that ‘We all possess knowledge.’ But knowledge puffs up while
love builds up. Those who think they know something do not yet know as they
ought to know. But whoever loves God is known by God.” (1 Corinthians 8:1-3)
Knowledge is good and
necessary. But the problem is it inflates the people’s mind and heart. It stimulates
the human’s pride and vanity. One of the infantile manifestations in the church
of Corinth was quarrels and dissensions. Some favored Paul and others Apollos
or Peter. They looked down others because they were puffed up and inflated by
the pride and unreality. The Scripture says that the fear of the Lord is the
beginning of knowledge. It says in another place that it is an abominable thing
in the sight of God for humans to exalt themselves. "You are the ones who
justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What
people value highly is detestable in God's sight.” (Luke 16:15)
On the other hand, love builds
up. It doesn’t destructs but constructs. Truth known is not love but truth done
is. So those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to
know, says Paul. They ought to know knowledge on the mysteries of God. At the
same time, they ought to know that knowledge is not all but obedience based on
what they know is everything. Who knows better than the Lord Jesus? He is the
Creator who made all things and nothing has been made without Him (John 1:3). Yet
our Lord Jesus never looked down on anyone but was merciful and compassionate
on the people who were like sheep without a shepherd. Our Lord Jesus also was
truthful and faithful in telling the truth honestly and bluntly. For example,
Jesus told the Pharisees that He was before Abraham was born. Then they picked
up the stones to stone Him (John 8:58).
Although the people of His own
did not recognize and accept the Promised One, God so loved the world that He
gave His Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal
life (John 3:16). God sacrificed the Son Jesus Christ the Lord while we were
still sinners. Our Lord Jesus took up our infirmities and transgressions and
bore our shame and guilt on the cross of Calvary. He originates all knowledge in
the universe and yet obeyed the Father to the point of death for it was the
only way for the redemption of the fallen race. Christ demonstrated what love
is and what it does. Through the death of the Son many a people have been found
in God who released them from the bondage of sin and death. Through the love of
God we have been forgiven and made righteous and blameless in Christ Jesus the
Lord.
We humans cannot love God. So
He loved us first and draws the elect in love. Now since we are loved and drawn
by the Spirit we simply respond to that marvelous and unfathomable love in
Christ. That’s it. What else can we do more than answering the outpouring love? That’s
what it means when our Lord Jesus says that anyone who wants to follow Him he
must deny himself and take up the cross and follow Him. We cannot love God
without denying ourselves first. Loving God is obeying Him. To obey God we must
say no to sin like pride, self-righteousness, complacency, and say yes to the
Spirit.
Those who love God is known by
God. It doesn’t matter whether or not the world recognize our love for God. That’s
less than the least important thing to concern. Apostle Paul says so in this
letter, saying “I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court;
indeed, I do not even judge myself.” (1 Corinthians 4:3) Why does he say so? It’s
because those who love God is known by God. God sees our heart and even the
deep inside what we think in consciousness and unconsciousness with His blazing
fire. “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is
uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews
4:13)
If we are known by God how then
can we not know the truth that we have eternal life in Christ? We’re the
children of the kingdom of light who once were locked in the dungeon of
darkness but now have been washed, sanctified, and justified by the blood of Christ
Jesus. Though we care little about what the world says we are not free from who
sees the inside of us. “My conscience is clear, but that does not make me
innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.” (1 Corinthians 4:4) Now we are known
by the One who judges justly and righteously for we love Him.
Prayer: Thank you Father for
loving us unconditionally through the Son Jesus Christ our Lord and for enabling
us to love the One who is the author of love. May we always remember and never
forget even a moment that God pours out love on us. In Christ’s name. Amen.
August 27, 2015
© 2015 David Lee Ministries – All Rights
Reserved.
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