Love and the believer’s mission on earth (1)

The believer’s Missions on earth is well articulated in the Bible. Jesus, we are told, established the church for five purposes as revealed in the Great Commandment and the Great Commission: Fellowship, Growth, Service, Witnessing, and Worship.

Let us take a look at the Mission of Christ on earth which is now the Mission of the Church on earth as stated in 2Corinthians 5:17-19

We are saved to help save others!

Love is the foundation

The entire salvation package is brought about by the love of God. John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

It is no secret that God loves us. His love for humanity is incontrovertible. God is love and He is a passionate lover. He understands love because He is love. When He gives out love, He gives Himself out. He is so loving that He even gave his life for the ones He loves: you and I.

We are nowhere and are nothing without the love of God. It is one of the three things that must be with you always if you are to make it. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 2Corinthians 13:14

What are the facts about God’s love?

1. It is unspeakable. Beyond description!
2. It is unending – Jeremiah 31:3…I have loved you with an everlasting love! God’s love is eternal!
3. It is unselfish.
4. It is unmerited – Cannot be earned or deserved!
5. It is unconditional – It is not based on what we can or cannot produce, it comes from the heart of God. Man can never reach a place when he will not be loved by God! God loved us first, He loved us anyway and He loves us eternally! He does not want you sinning but He does not stop loving you because He knows that one day, you will get it and trust Him to help you change.
6. His love is Supernatural, it is Sacrificing, it is Satisfying!

How God demonstrates His love for us

1. By taking the punishment for our sins. He gave us His only begotten Son to die for us. Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
2. By forgiving us our sins.
3. By giving us all that we need.
4. By answering our prayers.
5. By helping us in the time of need.
6. By being patient with us.
7. By protecting us
8. By healing us.

God wants to be loved

But every lover wants to be loved back. One sided love does not work. Love must be reciprocated if it has to be sustained. God wants us to love Him back. He feels the pain of rejection too. He not only wants us to love Him, He wants us to love Him as passionately and love others too.

In fact, Jesus said this is the greatest commandment. Matthew 22:37-38, “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. [38] This is the first and great commandment.” He also referred to it as ‘first’ meaning top priority. Loving God with the totality of your being should be your top priority.

It is required that you love God. “And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul…” Deuteronomy 10:12

Luke 11:42, (Contemporary English Version- CEV) says, “You Pharisees are in for trouble! You give God a tenth of the spices from your gardens, such as mint and rue. But you cheat people, and you don’t love God. You should be fair and kind to others and still give a tenth to God.” Those who don’t love God are in for trouble.

Benefits of loving God

1. Unimaginable and mind-blowing blessings are reserved for those who love God. 1Corinthians 2:9, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

There is a stunning destiny packaged only for God-lovers. Unimaginable, unprecedented blessings, await those who love God. Things that eyes have not seen await all those who love God. God has prepared unthinkable and mind-blowing blessings for those who love him. God is ready to lavish his resources and blessings on His lovers.

You are not helping God when you lavish your love on Him; rather you are helping yourself. God does not need your help. He will never need you for anything; but you will always need Him for everything.

Love for God is the primary key to securing a glorious destiny for yourself and for your children and children’s children. Love for God is the key to securing the covenant blessings for yourself and generations after you.

2. Enduring wealth and comfort. Job 36:11

3. Generational blessing. Deuteronomy 7:9, “Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations…”

4. Answered prayer (John 15:16). Uncommon miracles. Psalm 126:6. I know a sister who experienced a miraculous healing; she reminded the Lord of his promise to answer the prayers of the soul-winner. She had a target of 7 souls and fasted for seven days for their salvation. Even while she was in the UK, she was following them up on phone. A severe pain she had been experiencing for years disappeared suddenly! You shall serve the Lord and he shall bless thy bread and thy water. Expect your blessings. The Lord pays and he pays well. What is it that you require from the Lord? Go out winning souls and return with them to church and watch the Lord pay you handsomely. A couple heard the testimony of someone who went witnessing and got a miracle. They decided to go out to witness and win souls. They were doing it regularly. Three months later she discovered she had missed her period! Barrenness of over ten years was destroyed! Is there a need in your life? Step out and start winning souls and God will step in powerfully and meet your needs.

5. God takes over your battles. Your enemies become His enemies.

6. God’s mercy. Deuteronomy 5:10, “And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.”

7. Divine favour.

If you really want colour, dignity and shine in your life, become a lover of God. Fall in love with Him. Next week we shall look at how you can demonstrate your love for God.

Have a blessed week.