Return The Love

Mark 6:34 And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.

You could summarize the Bible in that scripture, in that statement of Jesus’ compassion, lies that story of how much he loves you. The Bible is historical and prophetic, creation and it’s destiny wrapped up in a living Word like none other, a timeless book that has tugged the countless for centuries, because it is all about God. We are wired with that desire for him, sin causes many to deny him or pursue the wrong one, but our need for him is in our DNA, inexplicably within us. God has such a compassion for you that he died for you, rose from death to conquer sin forever, and now sits in Heaven awaiting the judgement day to change history forever when Satan is defeated. Hebrews 10: 12 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, 13 from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. 14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

I read this in my favorite devotional this morning, “Your relationship with God out to bring you more joy, satisfaction, and pleasure than any other relationship, activity, or material possession you have.” (Experiencing God Day by Day) It goes on to point out the only way we begin to “get that” is the pursuit of God’s will for our lives through seeking him. I will add the way I view that as, Matthew 6:33 Seek Ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. We all know of the Ten Commandments, and what is the greatest commandment; Jesus was even asked that exact question, and this was his reply. Matthew 22:37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. The entire Bible points to God’s love for us, and our need for him. God designed us with Free Will, but the battle good and evil has been around since the Fall of Man at the Garden of Eden. Even the lost know of these stories, but moving past them to the love exemplified in the Gospel changes lives eternally. Once God tugs on the heart, an eternal decision is made, not knowing the time we have to return the love that has been given us.

You know not the hour eternities door will open for you. You have this life to prepare for the next one. Everyone will spend eternity in one of two places, Heaven or Hell; the default is Hell because God has given you his Word and all of Creation to see your need for him, he has even wired deep within the desire for him. No amount of good works, church attendance, giving, or just not being that bad will get you into Heaven; you cannot earn it, only accept and understand that John 14:6 is the only way. Then and only then will you begin to return the love to him that he has to you.