Subscription Lists

On the night of His betrayal, Jesus told Jude [paraphrased], "I will love those who love Me and manifest Myself to them." (see John 14.21). He DID NOT mean that He would only love those who love Him, but He DID MEAN that He would only manifest Himself to those who love Him. Jude, hearing this statement, correctly inferred these truths when he said, "Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?" (John 14.22). Before going any further in this devotional, think about what has just been stated: Jesus clearly intended to convey the fact that His love was unconditionally extended toward humanity, but that He would not manifest Himself to those elements of the world who do not love Him!

Given these two related pieces of information, other conclusions can be drawn. At least one of these conclusions has to do with the means by which God intended to convey to humanity that He is love and that He unconditionally loves us. Actually, the means by which God intended to demonstrate that He is love, and the means by which God intended to convey that He unconditionally loves us are one and the same! In one Divine act and through one failsafe plan, God the Father revealed Himself to humanity AND revealed a part of His character, namely His unconditional love for us. Obviously, God accomplished both of these ends through the giving of His only begotten Son (see John 3.16). In this one act, He revealed His heart of love and demonstrated that its character was above the character of human love in that it was extended without restriction to "whoever believes in Him."

It is through our personal belief in and appreciation for this act of Divine love that we see the heart of the Father and come face to face with the reality that He really, and I mean REALLY is love! His love whispered in the calm of Eden, it echoed in the ring of Noah’s hammer, it was foreshadowed in the altar upon which Isaac was offered, He had given a sign of His love in the Passover lamb of Egypt, it was unmistakably declared to a frightened but undefeatable nation on the hillsides that surrounded Sinai, and He had exuded love in the voice of every prophet that called Israel to repentance. However, only when He sent His Son did He speak in a language that every human being (past, present and future) can understand. When man hears the powerful message of the Cross and embraces its meaning, his life can never be the same. God knew this when He devised this plan in eternity and He depends upon this fact even today as the gospel message is preached to His creation.

Everything that we know of God’s character is that which He has chosen to reveal about Himself. Perhaps we would have reason to be skeptical were this man speaking of himself. Likewise, had God merely spoken words, we would have every right to be skeptical. However, when He gave the Son of His bosom to redeem us from inescapable destruction, He forever proved His true character and that God is love! He manifests Himself and His love in the person and work of Jesus Christ! Whether or not God manifests Himself to me individually totally depends upon my reaction to the story of the Cross. Regardless of my reaction, God is love!

Questions:

1. How do you think Jude knew that Jesus’ love was unconditionally extended to humanity, but that He would manifest Himself only to those who loved Him?

2. How was God’s love demonstrated in Eden? With Noah? In Isaac?

3. What effect does the recognition of the reality of unconditional love have on the heart and soul of a man/woman?

4. How can the believer prove to the unbeliever that God is love?

"Voice of Inspiration" from Andy Castro

A Lot Of Salt