Hello All,
(Just a general disclaimer that I must insert here at the beginning. I am but a lay person, like most of you. And these weekly “thoughts” are but my own. Not the definitive word on this or any topic. Just my own conclusions derived from my own study and faith in God. The greatest hope I have for these weekly “thoughts” is to have them be a springboard for further study on your part. Not to be a weekly treatise to be blindly accepted. So, please read them with this intent, this motive in mind).
This week’s lesson from “The Adult Sabbath School Guide” is titled “Sharing the Story of Jesus”. On Monday’s lesson, we look at Ephesians 2: 1-10. In this text, Paul describes what we were like prior to our “knowing” Christ, and then after “knowing” Him. Do any of you remember what it was like in the “prior” condition? As you read verses 1-3, did any of it strike a familiar memory? And then the “after” condition described in verses 4-10. Do these verses depict you now? And if both the “prior” and “after” conditions accurately describe you during each of those periods of your life, what is it, exactly, that made the change? What brought it all about… the change… the repentance, the conversion, the new walk? I’d like to take this opportunity to describe it. I believe it all hinges on two little words… love and truth.
As humans made in the image of God, we innately value the things of God. We are all fallen, it is true. But even in our fallen condition, we innately value truth and courage. Value integrity and kindness. Value love and compassion. Real love. And so the human journey began for each of us. To find love. Real love. And to find truth.
We interpreted “love” as based upon our culture’s definition. Based upon a skewed sinful perspective. Based upon gratifying self. This love failed us. Because all gratifying of self is a never-ending pursuit where more and more are never enough. And it was in this condition where the revelation of God’s love impressed us.
Truth was also elusive. In our culture, truth could be sacrificed for any reason that the liar felt trumped truth. As a result, truth was not an absolute. Truth was whatever you needed it to be to suit your purposes. And how we yearned for truth, not platitudes.
What happened to us was a revelation of God’s love for each of us. And the revelation of the truth about who He is and who we are, too. Truth that could only be heard and received if revealed by the One who ultimately loved you. Revealed to our hearts and minds through the Holy Spirit. He revealed His never changing love… and He revealed the truth. This blended revelation of God touched our souls. Spoke to our souls. Breathed life into our souls that were so dead. “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). It is this that made us repent, turn… and follow. Love, and the truth spoken softly in that love. After the putrid wells of our culture, the clear refreshing water of life was such a relief. “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God” (Psalms 42:1).
I bring this up because as we “share Jesus”, share the truth, it must be sharing love. It must come from a heart of love. As the quarterly so accurately states in Sabbath’s lesson for September 5:
“If our witness consists solely of trying to prove that what we believe is right and that what others believe is wrong, we will meet strong opposition. If our witness about Jesus comes from a heart that has been transformed by His grace, charmed by His love, and amazed at His truth, others will be impressed with how the truth we believe has impacted our lives. Truth presented in the context of a changed life makes all the difference”. As with you and me, love and truth won us back to our Father. And so with others. Love and truth are the only means which will win others where argument will fail.
So let love reign supreme in our hearts and minds. And may the truth spoken softly in love flow from our lips as we lift-up our Savior and our God. Love and truth are the motivators for all of heaven… and for those who aspire to be like heaven’s inhabitants.
With brotherly love,
Jim