Love is a many splendored thing!

Many think love is an emotion. The Bible emphasizes love is action. The best example of love in action is Jesus heading to the cross. Jesus said He must go. It wasn’t compulsion or obligation as much as it was love for you and for me.

Love is powerful and much can be learned about it in Romans 12:9-21. It should be listed with 1 Corinthians 12 as a love chapter. I entitled this section, Exhibiting Love to Everyone in Every Situation. The first section describes love with 11 action words. The second section gives 4 proper responses by Christians to the unloving.

I was touched by the words of Booker T. Washington (former slave, educator, author, advisor to U. S. presidents), I will not allow any man to make me lower myself by hating him. The only real way to destroy an enemy is to make that person a friend. To make an enemy into a friend will not happen with feelings alone but with actions directed by the Spirit of God. May we be people of the Book who love others not with talk but with deeds.

I hope you will find the 11 actions words and 4 proper responses of love in Romans 12:9-21, at www.crimsonministries.org under the Books of the Bible tab. More than just knowing those facts, I pray each of us will apply those truths to our lives and relationships with others.

Gary Wiley

Whatever happened to sanctification?

I am a strong supporter of knowing the truth of God and believing it. Evangelical churches encourage members to know what they believe. That Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose from the grave is foundational. I believe it but does it make a difference in my life?

It seems that we have reached a point where having the right doctrinal position is all there is to the Christian faith. Justification is a wonderful doctrine which requires understanding the Gospel. God justifies me based on Jesus’ payment for my sins. God sees me as if He is looking at His Son. That truth is hard to grasp but I am thankful for it.

That is good news but that is only the beginning. Justification is the beginning of a life in Christ. Sanctification must follow. Romans 12:1 declares that I am to present my body as a living sacrifice which is my spiritual worship. God not only wants me to place my faith in the truth, He wants me to live what I believe. The older I get the more I want that for myself and for every believer.

I fear too many churches regularly proclaim the Gospel of justification but not sanctification. Justification without sanctification is life insurance, covering oneself against going to hell. Justification with sanctification is experiencing heaven on earth. According to Warren Wiersbe, In the Christian life, doctrine and duty always go together. What we believe helps to determine how we behave. It is not enough for us to understand Paul’s doctrinal explanations. We must translate our learning into living and show by our daily lives that we trust God’s Word.

I want to know as much theology as I can. I want to know about God. But, most importantly, I want to know God. I want not only a relationship as His child but to be in fellowship with Him as my loving Father. Hear the words of Jesus, John 14:21, Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.

A Christian is called not only to know the truth but to live it empowered by the Holy Spirit. Romans 12:1-8 is the beginning of a powerful section on sanctification. I encourage you to take time to study the lesson at www.crimsonministries.org under the Books of the Bible tab. Salvation is composed not only of justification but sanctification followed by glorification. Even so Lord, come quickly.

The appropriate response to grace is praise!

The Apostle Paul expresses great anguish at the beginning of chapter 9 of Romans concerning Jewish rejection of Jesus as Messiah. At the end of chapter 11, he breaks out with praise to God with a doxology. Paul is overwhelmed by God’s mystery concerning grace shown to Jews and Gentiles, alike.

He marvels at God’s gracious plan of setting aside Israel for a time while God’s mercy and grace is poured out on Gentiles. The plan includes future restoration of Israel to its place of prominence not because of her obedience but despite her disobedience. British chaplain and theologian C. E. B. Cranfield rightly addresses God’s dealing with mankind, . . .men are imprisoned in their disobedience in such a way that they have no possibility of escape except as God’s mercy releases them.

Romans 11 portrays God as sovereign and good, a Creator who can’t be fully understood but who can be fully trusted. Take time to study Romans 11:25-36 at crimsonministries.org under the Books of the Bible tab. Get a fresh glimpse of our gracious God and respond with heartfelt praise.