November 29, 2009

Dear Friend,

In Mr. Jones’ sermonette yesterday, he spoke on the attitude that a Christian must have to please God. Some believe Christianity is having the right doctrine, maybe a good feeling, or some facet that defines a Christian. When we look back at the recent history of the Church of God, many were stunned when those we felt were pillars in the “Body” so easily abandoned the way of life that made us a part of the true Church. It was shocking that those we “judged” as good people gave up so easily the truth once delivered.

Action is very important in displaying our conversion; however, our actions should be based on the proper foundation. The Pharisees were dedicated to keeping the law and went overboard to be perfect in how they lived. The only thing that was missing was that what was done was not fully based on God’s love. “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. Luke 11:42. What is that attitude we must have as Christians that makes our actions pleasing to God? Love! Love is the overriding principle of everything we do. If our actions, decisions, and words are not based on God’s love and love of fellow man, then it may not be pleasing to God.

Repeatedly the Bible brings out one important message to a Christian: love God and love fellow man. “Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, "Which is the first commandment of all?" Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. 'And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." Mark 12:28-32.

There it is in your own Bible in the words of Jesus Christ, “there is no other commandment greater than these.” Everything else comes in as a lesser commandment. That does not mean these other commandments are less in the keeping of them. It means that all other commandments must be based on love. All we do must be seen through the filter of “how does this action relate to love of God and love of fellow man.” We cannot miss the impact of God’s purpose for the love chapter, 1 Corinthians 13. It is to teach us that we can have all these talents and abilities listed, but if love is not the overriding principle, then we have nothing. “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Cor 13:13

The greatest attribute of God we exhibit is His Love deep within us as our primary attitude when we interact with God and with our neighbors. By definition, every human being is our neighbor.

In the service of Christ,

Ronald W. Laughland
Pastor