The Whole Truth

The significance of the heart in the human body parallels with a heart of love in a Christian who proclaims to have a relationship with God. If the heart stops pumping lifeblood in the body, death is certain. So it is when God’s love stops flowing from heart to heart among Christians—there is no true relationship with God, and spiritual death is certain. This is the essence of John’s message recorded in 1 John 4:7- 8: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” Love is the foundation of the Gospel message and ministry of reconcili ation. It is the motivation for missions work at home and abroad. What ever spoken in word or done in deed apart from God’s characteristics of love is meaningless. What are the characteristics of love from God’s perspective? Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. Love isn’t selfish or quick tempered. It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do. Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting. Love never fails (Ref. 1 Corinthians 13). Christians should be the SMEs (Subject Matter Experts) on God’s love in order to impact the world for Christ. For example, the writings of John give the impression that he was a Subject Matter Expert on love as the beloved disciple of Jesus Christ. In addition to the fourth Gospel and the book of Revelation, John wrote three letters that communicate how God is life, light and love. If we walk in the light and obey the command to abide in Christ’s love, we will witness its powerful affect in our relationship with God, one another, among our enemies, and ultimately, for love’s sake, change the world’s perception of who Jesus is, and of who we are as born again witnesses for Jesus Christ.

THEWHOLE TRUTH 17