Steelville First Assembly of God

NOTE FROM PASTOR

 

 

   Many people today would recognize the words…”All you need is love”. This was the title of a popular song from 1967 written by John Lennon. I’m sure John was sincere in writing the song but he didn’t know True Love. Love without God is only temporal. John the Beloved said, “God is love.” Solomon told us that love covers a multitude of sins. Paul listed love as the first fruit of the Spirit. Love is all through the Bible. You could honestly say that the Bible is love. It’s the love story of for us through Jesus Christ. Love should be the motivating factor in all relationships, starting with God and continuing through all others. Jesus told us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves, and even to love our enemies. That should cover just about everyone.  But in a world like today, how do we show God’s love to them? How can love win them to the same Savior we know? Jesus shows us in John 13:34. In His final week on earth, He tells His disciples, “ So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." This love He is speaking about is the love we have for one  another in the church. It’s an unconditional, sacrificial, you-before-me  mentality. Notice the word “command”.  This was not an option for the church.                  This is how we reach the world with the Gospel- Love one another! Some may say we need to preach in more nations, feed and clothe more homeless, build more orphanages and churches. This is true, these things must be continued. But the world must see and then know by the love we have for one another that we are His disciples.  It’s difficult for anyone to believe in a message that is supposed to be about forgiveness and love while the messengers are fighting with one another. Division among churches has been a thorn in the side for centuries. This love that we as           believers have for one another in the church will grab the attention of the world. The love that Jesus showed this world is what grabbed our attention.  He showed us He cared about us while we were hurting in our sin-sickness and emptiness. People today have discovered the frailty of our financial, educational, and social structures. They are crumbling before our eyes. They’re for looking for something or someone to put their trust in. Only the love of God in our hearts for each other will show them they can         believe in Him. John 17:21,    21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me,            Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. So in the end all we really need is God’s love! 

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