Receiving Line.

During this past Sunday's sermon Pastor Sam quoted some verses from John chapter one:

"He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God." (John 1:10-12, NIV)

As we continue our meditations on the love of God, we are reminded that our best response to God's love is to receive His love. And, our receipt of this love is marked by our belief in Jesus, the One who God sent.

Pastor Sam shared a story about a tightrope walker who received accolades from the people watching the show, but who got no volunteers when he asked for one of the spectators to join him on the high-wire for part of the tightrope-walking act. Perhaps that is where some of us stand. We say we understand that God loves us, and we say that we believe He can do amazing things, yet we have not taken hold of His hand. We have not become active participants in His work. We have not placed our full trust in Him. In other words, our lack of response is an indicator of our lack of love.

Our pastor shared Dr. Gary Chapman's research in this area: in love relationships, we reciprocate love in terms of what the lover understands. God's love is shown through His giving of Himself to us through Jesus, completely, at incredible cost. How do we reciprocate? By giving our lives to God through our faith in Jesus, completely, no matter what the cost. Pastor Sam referenced Romans 12:1-2-- verses that are not typically read in a discussion of love, but verses that make perfect sense in a discussion of the God-kind of love.

"Therefore I exhort you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice-- alive, holy, and pleasing to God-- which is your reasonable service. Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God-- what is good and well-pleasing and perfect." (Romans 12:1-2, NET)

To give our lives over to the One who gave His life for us: this is love.