Love demands action

[lismore]

Why do we do anything for God? Is it because we have to, are we obligated, or do we feel a huge depth of gratitude for his love for us who were his enemies and wish to see this awesome love given to others? We become filled up with love and wish to pour it over onto others- we an overflowing vessel. The more you empty yourself, the more God can pour in.

Whoever has been forgiven much loves much. While we were still sinners Christ died for us.

 

[New_Wineskin]

I do so because I love Him .

 

[Bartlomiej Dyszkiewicz]

I don't believe I'm ready.....i feel and believe i'm cought in a fault with anger unforgiveness the very things that are against the nature of God.

And the thought that crossed my mind before i entered this thread was if I am forgiven and restored i want to do the same to others. I've been at the cross and am asking for help to see and recieve his forgiveness.
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[WAB]

I do so because I love Him .

Yes... and why? "We love Him because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19)

 

[WAB]

I don't believe I'm ready.....i feel and believe i'm cought in a fault with anger unforgiveness the very things that are against the nature of God.

And the thought that crossed my mind before i entered this thread was if I am forgiven and restored i want to do the same to others. I've been at the cross and am asking for help to see and recieve his forgiveness.
_

His forgiveness is available for anyone who is humble enough to admit sin and confess the same. The Apostle John was a close companion of the Lord while He was walking on earth as the God-man. the most famous portion of John's Epistle's is: "If... (maybe we will, and maybe we won't) we confess our sins ( and John obviously included himself in those who still had the capacity to sin), He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us (1 John 1:9,10)."

BE ANGRY !!​

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Psalm 4:4…. “Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah”

With reference to that verse in Psalm 4, Ephesians 4:26 says: ‘“Be angry, and do not sin’: do not let the sun go down on your wrath.” (both from the NKJV)

At first glance it might seem that God’s Word might be contradictory here, for after all, James 1:20 tells us: “…the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

However…. although the LORD has always been “…slow to anger…” (Jonah 4:2), yet He was often “…provoked to anger…” by the sins of His people. (Deuteronomy 9:8; 22; 32:16; 1Kings 22:53, etc., etc.

As a matter of fact… “…the anger of the LORD was kindled…” (set on fire) by those sins.

See: Exodus 4:14; 2Kings 13:3; 1Chron. 13:10, etc., etc. Indeed many Scriptures speak: “…of the fierce anger of the LORD.” See: Numbers 25:4; Jeremiah 25:37,38; 30:24; etc.

Also, Psalm 37:8 tells us: “Cease from anger and forsake wrath; do not fret… it only causes harm.”

To solve the apparent contradiction, an observation by an old Puritan whose name we do not have is certainly applicable…. “I am determined so to be angry as not to sin; therefore to be angry at nothing but sin.” (this quote appears in the excellent book by H.A. Ironside titled “Unless You Repent”).

(This paper written by: W.A.B.)

 

[RoseM]

I've been thinking about this lately. I think that a lot of what I do that is good I started doing because of obligation but it has now become habit. I want to do things out of gratitude for God but I don't know how. God has done so many good things and I know this intellectually but I don't know how to mutter up true devotion. I've prayed for it but it hasn't come and so what I feel left with is obeying out of obligation. Feels pretty lifeless. I do believe but I need him to help me with my unbelief.

Rose

 

[Johnnz]

Love can be used as a "warm fuzzy" word. Love means getting involved with people - sharing meals, listening to them, walking with them is difficult times, spending time together, putiing up with their idiosycracies and mannersisms, overlooking their different interests, for example.

As we do this we come to quietly discover the amazing reality of God's love.

John
NZ