Wanna Know What Love Is ?

When I was a young man there was a song that became popular on the secular radio from a band by the name of Foreigner.  The song was titled “I want to know what love is”.  The song reached #1 on the charts in both the U.S and Great Britain becoming the biggest hit that Foreigner ever had.  We human beings have this inner desire to be accepted and loved.  Everyone wants to be loved!!  The song resonated with the masses because we all want to know what love is……

Love is a major theme in the life of Jesus Christ and for all those who would follow Him as a disciple.

John 13:35 “ By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

The sign of being a disciple of Jesus is found in the Love that they have for each other.  This love that Jesus is talking about is different than the love that Foreigner sang about. It is not a self-satisfying love.  The love that Jesus is referring to is a love that is beyond our human comprehension.  Jesus’ disciples had some difficulty understanding this new idea of Love that Jesus was demonstrating. The love that He was displaying was a love that put others first, it was self-sacrificing. It was the Love of God!! There was a point during the ministry of Christ that some of His disciples wanted to be granted places of honor on His right and left.  They were seeking positions of power and authority.  This naturally made the others angry but Jesus responded by explaining that the way of the Kingdom was opposite from the way of the world, in other words if you want to go up in the Kingdom you have to humble yourself, in order to receive in the Kingdom you first have to give.  The Kingdom way is opposite of the ways of the world.  As a disciple of Jesus, we are to be identified by the love we have for each other.  It is the Kingdom way……to love……not because of but in spite of.  In spite of our failures, in spite of our short comings, in spite of not deserving it or being worthy of it God has given us His love and we are called to love each other. The same way that Christ loved/loves us.  Without reservation!!!!!

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, help me to love others as You love me.  Unconditionally. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Passion with Understanding

What does it mean to be a disciple?  The literal definition from Webster’s dictionary means - 1: one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another: such as (a) Christianity.

The accepted definition simply means to accept the teachings and doctrines of another as well as the spreading of such.

John 8:31-32 “31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Jesus was telling all those who had believed what He was teaching, all those who had accepted that He was teaching truth could become His disciples.  The Greek word here in John 8:31 quite simply mean “learner” as in pupil. 

I remember having spent 12 years in public education learning everything that was “required” of me so that I could graduate at the end of 12th grade.  The statement that was made prior to walking across the stage to accept the diploma was that the following students had met the requirements set forth by the State of Texas.  With that we were called to walk across the stage and accept our diploma.  We had been students but I don’t think we became disciples.  Simply put, you can learn and never apply.  You can gain knowledge but never have the wisdom to use that knowledge or act on that knowledge. 

To me, becoming a disciple of someone or something means to transition from having a head knowledge to having a heart knowledge (passion with understanding) for the one being followed. 

Jesus made the statement, “if you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed”.  So many people today who categorize themselves as “believers” fail to abide in the “word of Jesus”.  We tend to “hear the Word” and “know the Word” but not live by the Word.  What Jesus is saying when He says “if you abide in My word” is to live in, stay in, dwell in or be present in the Word.  If we do this then we “shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”.  In order for us to transition for that head knowledge state of mind to a heart knowledge, one must fall in love with the Master, the Teacher or the subject one is pursuing.  In relation to Christ it is one in the same.  Love becomes the motivating factor at some point in this walk. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, let me walk in Your favor as I abide in Your word.  Give me wisdom, knowledge and understanding as I live out my life as Your disciple.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.