He Dwells — The B'log in My Eye

What does it mean to stay in the love of God? Is this somehow a suggestion from Jude that there is something we can do to make God love us more? And if that is the case, is there then something we can do, or perhaps ‘not do’ that will make God love us less? The answer is no–Romans 5:8 proclaims that He (God) demonstrated His love toward us while> we were still sinners. In other words, God’s love is a done-deal; all that is left for us to do is to receive it.

Either is our Father in Heaven is akin to some store-front Santa Claus. Nowhere in the Bible does it declare that we might bring God a wish-list and He will then check a list to see if in fact we have been naughty or nice. Having said that, do not be deceived—there is a list (of some sort), but Colossians 2:14 thankfully reminds us that for those who are in Christ, the list has been blotted-out and wiped clean. I am very comforted by that truth.

Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

A Dry Well

So what has come about when we are not feeling God’s love; what is it that has occurred when His blessings have seemingly dried up? Could it be that we were naughty or is it because we lack faith? It is neither of those things for God’s love for us is absolutely unconditional.

If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. 2 Timothy 2:13

I love that verse! There is nothing I can do (or not do) to keep God from loving me. God is not operating some huge love-spigot, turning it on and off according to my behavior—that baby is on full-bore all the time. The problem is more likely (as my pastor likes to put it) that we have moved from, ‘under the spout where the blessings come out.’

It is much like the conversation between husband and wife as they drive along in the old pick-up truck with the bench seat. With forehead planted against the passenger-side window; unfocused eyes staring beyond the landscape she laments, “How come we never sit close anymore…you know, with your arm around my shoulder as you drive?”

His response from behind the wheel is simple and direct, “I haven’t gone anywhere.”

Either Has God

This very same verse (from Jude 20 & 21) provides the solution for bless-less-ness, or how to get back beneath the spout where these blessings continually flow. First, Jude tells us, we are to build up our faith. We know what this looks like–Romans 10:17 declares, “That faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” It stands to reason the more we hear the stronger the faith.

We then learn that praying in the Holy Spirit keeps us in the surge We may pray in solitude, but we should never pray alone. Invite the Holy Spirit into your prayers to both inspire the direction of your prayer and also to interpret to the Father what it is your heart is really trying to say. We Christians have a nasty habit of praying for what we want rather than what we need—all the more reason to embrace God’s Spirit to filter our petitions

Finally, our focus needs to be on Jesus and our eternal home. We truly must live as if Christ’s return is imminent or that our last breath is but moments away. If you knew Jesus was about to ring your doorbell, would you be rushing to open the door or to change the TV channel?

To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27