God’s Mission
John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall 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.
~ Jesus
Are you ready for some double-negative discourse?
Here we go: It wasn’t enough for God to simply not kill everyone because of their evil ways. It wasn’t enough for God to merely not hate people because of their evil ways. It was only enough for when God could love people to death – and bring them to Himself. This is WHY God sent His Son Jesus – out of love. This is HOW God sent His Son Jesus – in love. To perish. For our sins. So we would not perish.
This is so far from merely not murdering (a form of hate), from merely not getting angry (another form of hate). It is loving deeply. It is acting in love. And it’s what we are called to do as children of the light. The ultimate goal is to actually love – deeply.
Prayer
Father God, I want to demonstrate more than the minimum. I want to love deeply. When a reason to hate arises, let me meet it with love that conquers all. When a reason to love arises, let me rise to the occasion with love born of You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Micro-Meditation Scripture
Psalm 119:137-144 (Tsadhe, 18th letter)
- You are righteous, LORD,
and your laws are right. - The statutes you have laid down
are righteous; they are fully trustworthy. - My zeal wears me out,
for my enemies ignore your words. - Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.
- Though I am lowly and despised,
I do not forget your precepts. - Your righteousness is everlasting
and your law is true. - Trouble and distress have come upon me,
but your commands give me delight. - Your statutes are always righteous;
give me understanding that I may live.
Micro-Meditation
Teaching or Command of God
1 Peter 2:1-3
Rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
John 14:6
I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through me.
Micro-Meditation
Pondering Point
A thing can be trustworthy – say a bridge – and still not be trusted, left untested. God’s teachings are fully trustworthy. How are you trusting in them? Using them?