The Whole Truth

Hence, effective witnesses manifest the love of God in daily living, and are committed to being Christian SMEs for love’s sake. In order to be effective, we must first unite in our understanding and agree on God’s Word as the final authority above our personal opinions and idiosyncrasies. There are three aspects of God’s love critical to our witness in advancing God’s Kingdom: God’s concept of love - Understanding and embracing wholehearted ly God’s concept of love, in contrast to the world’s concept, should keep us grounded in our relationships. The world has a different ideology about love that opposes God. The world’s concept of love is motivated by the sinful nature, which is conditional, selfish, materialistic, and sensual—based solely on emotions and feelings. John clari - fies the world’s concept of love in 1 John 2:15-16, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.” To love the world means you are affectionately connected in mind, body and soul. You enjoy the sensuality and self-gratification the world markets so much that you invest time and money into its systems of operation, which are governed by beliefs and values contrary to God’s will. On the other hand, God’s concept of love is Himself. He is the SME, which means He is the Source of love, Motivator of love and the Example of love. Love originates from His nature—God is love (1 John 4:7-11). The ultimate expression (act) of love is self-sacrifice and self-denial (John 15:10-13). Jesus Christ is our example

(John 3:16). Unless we are willing to lay down our life or give our best for the sake of love, as well as deny self, without receiving anything in return, it is impossible to embrace God’s concept of love. In essence, we cannot have a true relationship with any one apart from God’s love flowing from within. The world’s concept of love is expressed and reciprocated from humanity’s sinful and sensual nature. However, divine love (agape) is supernaturally reciprocated through obedience to God’s Word, not emotions and feelings (John 14:21).

18 THEWHOLE TRUTH