The scientific method requires experimental results to be replicated with a high degree of reliability using the same methodology before the results can be recognized as scientific knowledge. The love of God must similarly be reproducible and transmissible to be regarded as sacred knowledge for us. “God is love” (1John 4:8,16 KJV). At its source, it has been revealed love comes from God. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Love was transmitted to humanity through the sacrificial death of the Son of God for the transgressions of man against God and man. “We love Him, because He first loved us” (1John 4:19). Our capacity to return love to God is engendered in us through His Spirit working in us. Once we discover in us “dwelleth no good thing” (Romans 7:18), then it becomes apparent that “it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). Accounting the Spirit of God to be the author of the love that comes from us, while we are fully engaged in willing and practicing it, is to “walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us” (Ephesians 5:2). “And this is love, that we walk after His commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it” (2John 1:6). LORD, work Your love in us, that we would have the practicing kind of religion that Alvin York (10:54) had. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Love One Another
Rapture: The Blessed Hope
“Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13 NKJV). Sure, I’d like to go, if there’s a Rapture, but how do you know it’s so? Harpazō is the NT Greek for catching up or rapture. “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up [Greek, harpazō] together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1Thessalonians 4:17). Here, harpazō is understandably connected with the “coming of the Lord” (4:15). We will be “caught up” (4:17) to the Lord in the air to reunite with our predeceased brothers and sisters before we all return with Christ. Harpazō also occurs in Revelation 12:5, where the “woman” (12:1), representing Israel, brings forth the Messiah, who is “caught up” (12:5) to the throne of God. Likewise, the Church as the Body of Christ will be raptured to Heaven, after which Israel will be forced to flee “into the wilderness” (12:6). May the Spirit of Christ “comfort” you (1Thessalonians 4:18) with these words, but let us not be impatient or contentious with one another, least of all, about the Rapture. “According to your faith be it unto you” (Matthew 9:29).
Understanding Anger and Hate
“God is angry with the wicked every day” (Psalm 7:11 KJV). “Ye that love the LORD, hate evil” (97:10). For the godly, anger is an emotional displeasure aroused by wrong, while hate is an intense dislike or hostility toward evil. It is right to be angry with wickedness attempting to control your conduct, and proper to hate evil finding its place in your heart. Bigotry and injustice can only occur when God is ignored. “Love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good” (Romans 12:9 NET). LORD, establish within us a holy hatred of sin, a fervent anger against wickedness, and a zealous love of righteousness that we may be as You are. Amen and amen.
Christian Modesty
Christian modesty is a humble estimate of one’s self before God, not seeking to draw undue attention to self, and not seeking to show off in an unseemly way. “Walk humbly with thy God” (Micah 6:8 KJV). Our conduct should reflect that modesty. “Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips” (Proverbs 27:2). Our manner of dress and clothing should also reflect a modesty, which takes the emphasis off us and points to Christ. “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest [Greek, kosmios, respectable, seemly] apparel, with shamefacedness [Greek, aidōs, modesty] and sobriety [Greek, sōphrosunē, self-control]; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array” (1Timothy 2:9). As sisters should protect their brothers’ purity by modest apparel, brothers need to protect their sisters from being unduly attracted to them by dressing in “costly attire” (2:9 ESV). LORD, may our manner of life between brothers and sisters be chaste, humble, and may You be the One to whom the attention is drawn. Amen.
We Need A Miracle 