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Like happiness, love is best defined by telling what it does. But, the very best way to describe love is to show it. God did this. Since He knows everything and since He IS love (1 Jn. 4:8), we are not surprised to learn that He not only loved the world, but that He sent His Son to die for the sins of the world (Jn. 3:16).

Now, because He actively loved those who hated Him (1 Jn. 4:10) and those who did not deserve love (Rom. 5:8), He showed that Divine love does not have to have love in return, but can lead the way by loving the unlovable. This is beyond friendship, beyond sentiment and beyond worth, but solely on God’s nature, He loves.

Most of us can love that which is lovely or affectionately. “But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). Therefore, since God loved the unworthy, Christians are to do the same. I mean, God shows his love by doing good to the just and the unjust and therefore, we are to do this as well (Matt. 5:43ff; Gal. 6:10). Yet, this is not man’s love. But it based on the fact that God loved us first. And, so, we love as God loves. Christians are rooted in love (Eph. 3:17). We are to continue to grow in love (Eph. 4:16). We are to love truth (2 Thess. 2:10) and speaks the truth in love (Eph. 4:15). Thus, when one is baptized and rises in a new life (Rom. 6:3-4), he puts on a new nature created in God’s likeness (Eph. 4:24). He can be tenderhearted, forgiving and kind (Eph. 4:32-5:2) and he is been taught by God to love (1 Thess. 4:9).

Now most assuredly, the individual that loves God will keep his commandments (1 Jn. 5:3), but the greatest of these commands is to love (Mk. 12:28ff) and anyone who loves God will love God’s children (1 Jn. 5:1) and no one who hates God’s children really loves God (1 Thess. 4:9). So, what is love? Love is being like God and doing that which God does because God is love. So, are you like God? BY ROBERT NOTGRASS

“GOD LOVES YOU AND I LOVE YOU AND THAT’S THE WAY IT’S GONNA BE!” – MIKE

I have always enjoyed singing the song, “This World is not my Home.”  Its meaning should have a very special place in the hearts of those who have faith in our Father’s promises.  As the song states, this earthly life full of worldly care is not our home.  We are merely pilgrims on a journey.  We should not dwell on the things of this world, but instead set our minds on our eternal home, which is Heaven.  If our sights are set on heaven, we will do everything necessary to go there and bring others with us. 

            The verse the song writer used in reference with this song is Matthew 6:19-20. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth… but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven.” (NKJV) If we dwell on our treasures here on earth then this is where our thoughts will constantly be.  If we dwell on reaching our eternal home, then our thoughts and actions will be directed toward Heaven and remembering His promise and pleasing our Heavenly Father.  This reminds me of Matthew 6:21: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (NKJV) Of course, it is a wonderful thing to be able to enjoy the things we have been blessed with during our life here on earth.  When a Christian’s spiritual attitude and duties suffer, this is an indication that the heart is not in the right place.  Our successes and blessings are given by God.  As we give Him the glory, our hearts will remain humble and our mindset continues to be focused on being with Him.

            Let’s take a look at some of the verses of the song I mentioned above.  In verse 1 it says, “This world is not my home, I’m just a passing thru.”  We are just passing through this life and rather quickly, it seems.  Just like the verse states in James 4:14, “For what is your life?  It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” (NKJV)  We have just a short life to live on this world and we need to make every minute we have count towards our heavenly goal.  In the second verse of the song it mentions “my Savior pardoned me and now I onward go.”  Jesus died on the cross for us and gave us a chance to be forgiven of our sinfulness and join him in everlasting life in Heaven.  He did not have to do this and yet he did.  His cruel death pardons us from sin and allows us the opportunity to join with him in Heaven.  Also in the second verse, it says “I know He’ll take me thru tho’ I am weak and poor”.  We are weak and sinful men.  Through God’s grace we have been promised strength and rich blessings in Heaven with our Savior as long as our faith is in him, not of this world.

            We need to have a mindset like the chorus verse of this song “And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore”.  Satan constantly tries to ensnare us with earthly pleasures and troubles.  He wants the faithful to loose sight of God’s promise and those of the world to be consumed with earthly concerns.  Constant prayer and fellowship with other Christians will provide us strength to prevent these temptations.  God’s promise to the faithful of eternity with Him should give us peace that the troubles of this world are only temporary and the weakness of the flesh is of this world, not Heaven.  The many that see this earthly life as their “home” desperately need us to be messengers and to share this “GOOD NEWS” of our Savior and His eternal home promised to those who believe and obey.  May each of us live everyday with the title of this song “this world is not my home” engraved on our hearts and remember God’s promise to those who believe on Him. BY JASON HUDSON

“GOD LOVES YOU AND I LOVE YOU AND THAT’S THE WAY IT’S GONNA BE!” – MIKE