Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

October31
Friday


WHAT LOVE IS

READ:
Romans 5:1-8
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God demonstrates His
own love toward us, in
that while we were still
sinners, Christ died for
us. __Romans 5:8
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Years ago I asked a young man who was engaged to be married, "How do you know that you love her?" It was a loaded question, intended to help him look at his heart's motives for the upcoming marriage. After several thoughtful moments, he responded, "I know I love her because I want to spend the rest of my life making her happy."

We discussed what that meant__and the price tag attached to the selflessness of constantly seeking the best for the other person, rather than putting ourselves first. Real love has a lot to do with sacrifice.

That idea is in line with the wisdom of the Bible. In the Scriptures there are several Greek words for love but the highest form is agape love__love that is defined and driven by self-sacrifice. Nowhere is this more true than in the love our heavenly Father has shown us in Christ. We are deeply valued by Him. Paul stated, "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8).

If sacrifice is the true measure of love, there could be no more precious gift than Jesus: "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son" (John 3:16 NLT).
__Bill Crowder

```````````````Amazing love!
```````````````How can it be
`````````````That Thou, my God,
````````Shouldest die for me? __Wesley
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The measure of love is what you are
willing to give up for it.

********************************Today's Bible Reading __ Romans 5:1-8*****************************

1 Therefore, having been
justified by faith, we have
peace with God through our
Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through
whom also we have access
by faith into this grace in
which we stand, and rejoice
in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only that, but we
also glory in tribulations
knowing that tribulation
produces perseverance;

4 and perseverance,
character; and character,
hope. 5 Now hope does not
disappoint, because the love
of God has been poured out
in our hearts by the Holy
Spirit who was given to us.

6 For when we were still
without strength, in due
time Christ died for the
ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a
righteous man will one die;
yet perhaps for a good man
someone would even dare
to die. 8 But God
demonstrates His own love
toward us, in that while we
were still sinners, Christ
died for us.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

As a result of Christ's sacrifice, Paul mentions two great benefits for
the follower of Christ. In verse 1, he says that we have "peace with
God," an idea that he unpacks in Philippians 4, where we read of
the incomprehensible peace of God, but also the relationship we
have with the God of peace Himself (Phil. 4:8-9). In romans 5:2,
Paul also declares that we now have "access" to God. This was a
stunning idea that he explained more fully in Colossians 1:21, "And
you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked
works, yet now He has reconciled." We receive the gifts of peace
with God and access to God because of Christ's loving sacrifice on
our behalf.