The Refuge
“If you love me, you will keep my commands.”
The scriptures are very clear that in this life we will face many difficulties. There is no doubt that our flesh is often attracted to the temptations of this world. There may be even times when we feel in our inadequacies, do I belong to God, has Christ truly saved me? We wouldn’t be honest if we said we’ve never had that thought at some point. So it is crucial that the revelation of God’s word, which is an unalterable truth, guides us towards all righteousness. The scriptures tell us, “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”
The Bible also informs us, “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” However, even in light of this, there is a prevailing evidence that is birthed in our heart through salvation, and that is love. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commands,” and again, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
I must be very clear at this point. Love is not based upon what we want it to be, or what we think it should be. It is founded on the principles of an absolute truth that is revealed to us by Jesus Christ. One of the purposes that Jesus came into the world was to redeem us from our sins, for there is no greater love than one who is willing to lay his life down for another, and that is just what Jesus did. So in His death, Jesus was demonstrating His love towards us.
It’s absurd to assume that a parent wouldn’t discipline their child if they were about to do something that would be harmful. So the notion that God’s love is not built around laws of discipline and correction is foolish, “for the Lord disciplines the one He loves and punishes every son He receives.” This is definitely something that cannot be understood from a mere secular standpoint, apart from the miracle of salvation. This is what Jesus told Nicodemus, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” For, “Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
Do not be mistaken at this point, you cannot merit salvation through Works. Jesus Christ is the only one who can offer you salvation, and this is a true and unadulterated love that shows no partiality. “For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
I assure you, Christian, that even the slightest residue of sin lurking in the hidden parts of your heart, unseen to your eye, is worthy of hellfire. Just the very thoughts of sin that rise up inside your heart crucified Jesus Christ. It ripped the flesh off of his bones with sharp blows from the taskmaster’s whip, to such a degree that He did not look like a human anymore. It replaced the crown of glory with thorns, crushing His skull in piercing agony.
Come now, beloved, let me ask you the question once again. Do you love Jesus? Is He your all in all? Do you hate the sin that works in the members of your body unto iniquity? Do you want to see your brothers and sisters in the faith come to maturity? Do you long to be out of this world where you will be free from sin and worship Him forever? Is your heart’s desire to bring glory to His name? If not, I fear that you have not known this love.
Oh, the infinite love of God in Jesus Christ, “Love brought thee from heaven to earth, from earth to the cross, from the cross to the grave, Love caused thee to be weary, hungry, tempted, scorned, scourged, buffeted, spat upon, crucified, and pierced. Love led thee to bow thy head in death. My salvation is the point where perfect created love and the most perfect uncreated love meet together; for thou dost welcome me.” If you are not in Christ, I pray that God would draw you to Himself today.