Tag:

love of Christ

How Do You Know

by Esther Griggs April 28, 2023

Someone may ask you if you have been born again. How do you know? The apostle John answers the question in 1 John 2. It isn’t as much about what we say but we do. Being a disciple of Jesus changes the essence of who we are. We keep His commands, we abide in Him, and it shows in our relationships.

**The sap of His love flows through us!**

Keep His Commands

Jesus was asked which commandment was the greatest. He said, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” He told them it was the first and greatest commandment. The second was “Thou shalt love thy neigbour as thyself.” Then He told them that all the law and the prophets hung on those two. It makes sense. When you love someone you don’t steal from them, or want what they have nor do you lie to them or take away their life. John writes that when we keep His commands, it demonstrates our love for Him.

Abide In Him

In the Book of John 15, he writes about the vine, the branches and the vinedresser. He quotes the words of Jesus, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit, of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” Here in 1 John 2, John writes, “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” Jesus, is the source of our life. The psalmist wrote, “For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light.” It changes the way we live. The sap of His love flows through us.

Shows in Relationships

The final picture John gives us is how we treat our Christian family. If you hate your brother, he writes, you are still walking around in the dark. You cannot see where you are going. You are blind. In contrast the one who loves his brother is in the light so there is no reason to fall. As we live in love relationship with Jesus, we live to please Him and He loves through us. Does this picture reveal your heart? We keep His commands, we abide in Him, and it shows in relationships.

April 28, 2023 0 comment

Family Traits

by Esther Griggs December 20, 2019

written by Esther Griggs

Following eleven silent years we received word of the whereabouts of our second eldest brother. It was the year following our father’s death. Mother, my younger sister and myself with my young child flew to California. Our joy abounded.

Imprinted on my mind from this reunion is the fact that when we saw him, we also saw our younger brother. Certain mannerisms of our younger brother were being played out before us in this older version.

Christmas is LOVE incarnate. Jesus embodied the love of God from before the foundations of the world. As His children, the one trait which shows us to be His family, is love. In the book of 1 John we are told that the difference between the children of God and the children of the devil has to do with loving our brothers. We learn love from the sacrificial gift of Jesus when He laid down His life for His brothers. We receive further instruction to not only talk love but to walk in love. Yes, love is of God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

The gift of the Christ child came because God so loved the world.

“As many as received Him,

to them He gave

the right to become children of God.

even to those who believe on His name:” John 1:12

“And we have known and believed the love that God has for us.’

God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God and

God in him.” 1 John 4:16

This Christmas I pray for a fresh outpouring of the Love of God on His children, that we will carry the family trait. Then, like the scent of fresh home-made bread our family, friends and neighbours will become hungry.

December 20, 2019 2 comments

Bible reflection Mankind

Sometimes

by Esther Griggs October 18, 2019

written by Esther Griggs

Sometimes you just have to know. Paul wondered how the Philippians were doing. Were they standing firm in their faith? How were they doing amidst the severe trials and persecution they were experiencing? Paul had to know.

Sometimes you just need the right person. Paul needed Timothy. Timothy understood Paul and his mission. He knew how much Paul cared for these people. Timothy saw beyond his own needs and cared about the things of Christ. He had proved himself by helping Paul as a son would help his father. So he wants to send Timothy to find out how they are doing. Down deep, he wants to go himself.

Sometimes you need an envoy. Paul doesn’t send timothy. He sends Epaphroditus. He is a brother in Christ, not only working alongside Paul but also a soldier alongside Paul in the gospel’s work. He is also something else. Perhaps this is the real reason Paul sent him. He is the messenger the Philippians sent to minister to Paul’s need. He was one of them.

Epaphroditus was very lonesome for these people. Paul said he was longing for them. He had been very ill even to the point of death, and he wanted them to know he was alive and well. Paul understood, too. He knew that the Philippians needed to see Epaphroditus and see him well. He knew that the reverse was also true. He sent him along with a message: Receive him gladly. Hold men like him in high regard. This man who in his work for Christ nearly died. This man who was more concerned about their ministry to Paul than his own life completed the task.

Paul knew there was more at stake here than satisfying his own need to know they were well. The Philippians had needs as did Epaphroditus. It wasn’t just about Paul and his ministry. It was much bigger. God expanded Paul’s vision to the needs of all involved in the story. The ministry of Christ is a human endeavour, empowered by the love of Christ who knows, understands, and cares deeply for each of His children.

October 18, 2019 0 comment