“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8
One of the definitions of the word ‘demonstrate’ that fits well with
our discussion today is:
“to explain or make clear by using examples”
“I love you” expressed to my wife is good. Demonstrating my love by completing a task
for her that she normally does (but hates doing) is even better!
Love can never be proven with mere words. Even God, whose word can be trusted and whose words are esteemed above His name, went beyond words and demonstrated His love by sending His Son.
But, while the cross and resurrection was the culmination of His work here on earth, there were countless demonstrations of the love of God in the life of Jesus leading up to that ultimate sacrifice. A read through of the Gospels reveals the blind seeing, the lame walking, the deaf talking, those in bondage set free and the dead raised.
Jesus aptly defined the word demonstrate, that is He explained the love of God and made it clear by using the examples we find in scripture. As a matter of fact, it was prophesied concerning Him that He would do just that. Listen to the words of Isaiah 61:1-3
“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.”
So today’s challenge for us is really quite simple.
It is this:
If the Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on you, He will move you past mere words to demonstrate to those around you His love.
Be a display of His splendor by demonstrating His love!
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8
One of the definitions of the word ‘demonstrate’ that fits well with
our discussion today is:
“to explain or make clear by using examples”
“I love you” expressed to my wife is good. Demonstrating my love by completing a task
for her that she normally does (but hates doing) is even better!
Love can never be proven with mere words. Even God, whose word can be trusted and whose words are esteemed above His name, went beyond words and demonstrated His love by sending His Son.
But, while the cross and resurrection was the culmination of His work here on earth, there were countless demonstrations of the love of God in the life of Jesus leading up to that ultimate sacrifice. A read through of the Gospels reveals the blind seeing, the lame walking, the deaf talking, those in bondage set free and the dead raised.
Jesus aptly defined the word demonstrate, that is He explained the love of God and made it clear by using the examples we find in scripture. As a matter of fact, it was prophesied concerning Him that He would do just that. Listen to the words of Isaiah 61:1-3
“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.”
So today’s challenge for us is really quite simple.
It is this:
If the Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on you, He will move you past mere words to demonstrate to those around you His love.
Be a display of His splendor by demonstrating His love!
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