“But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you.” John 5:29
Hatred seems to be the prominent characteristic of our present world condition. Whether we look at the many countries where the citizens are fighting each other over democracy/dictatorship – or looking at the racism issue that most countries are dealing with. It seems that we are lately dealing with racist views involving our Asian friends and relations. When Jesus Christ made the above statement, it was directed at His fellow Jews.
If God’s Son visited us here along the shores of Lake Superior, He would have every right to make the same statement of truth! Our natural inclinations are not geared toward loving God as we might think. Adam, as mankind’s representative, passed on to each of us a fallen sinful nature. God says that all of our thinking – our views – are not His views, but are all distorted to one degree of evil or another. On one occasion, in teaching His disciples, Jesus stated:
“What comes out of a man defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts . . . . All these evil things come from within and defile a man.” Mark 7:20-23
The Bible teaches that no individual, with his own capabilities, can ever have the love of God in his or her heart. Not only are we without the love of God, but in contrast, because of our human sinful nature we actually despise God and our attitude is: “We will not have this Man (referring to Jesus Christ) to reign over us.” “Because the carnal mind (our natural inclination) is enmity against God. For it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.” Luke 19:14 Romans 8:7
Because of the callousness of our hearts, God knew that we needed hearts with a propensity to love Him and our neighbours as ourselves. Jesus Christ, God the Son, was sent into our world to bring such a change! A new heart to love God has been promised. “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you. I will take the heart of stone (evil heart) out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh (loving heart). I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes… you shall be My people and I will be your God.” Ezekiel 36:26-28
Faith in Jesus guarantees the love of God!
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:1, 5
THE LOVE OF GOD – REALIZED IN JESUS CHRIST!!!
