We were studying about the creativity of Love. Because 1 John 4 has declared that "God is love," then according to the scripture, Love created the heavens and the earth. It was always the Father's intent to have family before He set the the earth in motion, thus Ephesians 1:4-5 (Amplified) says that "even as (in His Love) He chose (actually picked it out for Himself as His own) in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in Love." Verse 5 continues, "for He forever ordained us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children through Jesus Christ , in accordance with the purpose of His will (because it pleased Him and was His kind intent)."
Some have determined in these two scriptures that some are predestined to be saved and some are to be lost. But, this isn't according to the Word of God. In 2 Peter 3:9 (Amplified) we read that "The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people's conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance." Also, john 3:16 (Amplified) indicates that God's plan was for all the world to be saved.
We forget sometimes that we have a lot to say about whether we will be saved or lost. The truth of salvation was offered up by the blood of Jesus for all who will believe. It's a difficult thing to think that some will not accept the price that was paid and will perish. This was never God's intention.
In Ephesians 1:4 (Amplified), the Word says that before He created the heavens and the earth, we (God's children, His family) were the reason that He created them. People have struggled for centuries to determine what the reason for creation was. Those who know their Heavenly Father know why. If you will note, man was the last thing put on earth. Love created all of the things we see and determined they were very good. Then, only after Love had given it's stamp of approval on the nursery for Love's children, God sat His man and woman, His son and daughter, in the midst of His glory.
This Love (God, if you will), this God in His love for family, did all of these things for His children. There was so much love that it had to be shared, had to be in a position to be able to reach beyond Itself and bless all who received it.
This is the kind of God (Love) the Word points us to. We have never had a clear view of God as love, but He is. If we could ever realize this truth, then it would expel all fear of everything else. 1 John 4:18 (Amplified) says that "there is no fear in love (dread doesn't exist) but full grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment and (so) he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love (is not yet grown into love's complete perfection)."
Most of us have never really in our hearts, realized how this love has so carefully prepared things for His children. Mostly, we still associated with harsh discipline and hard laws. We still set ourselves up for a hard God to chastise us every time we do something wrong. It was because we were doing wrong that God sent Jesus. That's how love dealt with wrong. Jesus dies in our place so that wrong could be erased. 1 John 2 :20 (Amplified) says we should remember, "Whenever our hearts in (tormenting) self accusation make us feel guilty and condemn us. (For we are in God's hands) for He is above and greater than our conscience (our hearts) and He knows (perceives and understands) everything (nothing is hidden from Him)."
This Love (God) knew from the very beginning that it could fail, but Love was determined to win out even at the cost of ransoming us with His own blood should we fail. When everything was against Him, Love found a way because Love Never Fails!
We watched as Love died in our place and this Love (being so great), rose from the dead and brought victory to all who would believe. Jesus was Love (God) clothed in the flesh. If you ever are to know your Heavenly Father, then you have to know and watch Jeus in His ministry.
Love created all things and finally, Love created a new creature to inhabit His creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified) says "You are a new creation (a new creature altogether)." This new creature is called the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. This love child was born out of a heart of love so great, that even dearth can't stop it. Love created a shield of it's own blood to bring His family home. Now, that we are back in our Father's house, we need to learn to rest in the power of this love. If what you need doesn't exist, then Love will create it for you. This Love (God, the Father) will stop at nothing to see His children whole and free.
Never be afraid of God. Just remember that this Love, this Father, this Love that was so great as to create this entire universe for you, is still on your side.
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