Sunday, 25 December 2022
DIVINE LOVE WITH THE FATHER
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).
Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. He was born to fulfil the will of the Father. He was God’s love manifested to us. He was God’s sacrificial lamb to die and pay the price for the salvation of the world, to bring men into divine fellowship with the Father.
Ephesians 1:5-6 says, “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” Before the foundation of the world, God planned that you’d live in His love.
He planned that in Christ, you’d be the proof of His goodness. Ephesians 2:10 AMPC says, “For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].”
Jesus experienced the love of the Father the way no man ever did. He said in John 14:10, “...I am in the Father, and the Father is in me. ” He walked in the Father, and the Father walked in Him. We’re to do the same as admonished in Ephesians 5:1-2 AMPC: “THEREFORE BE imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]. And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.”
He saved us with His own love and gave His life for us, so we could experience the Father’s love through fellowship. Now we can better understand the Angel’s message to the shepherds in Luke2:11-14: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Hallelujah!
PRAYER: Dear Father, you’re awesome, glorious, righteous, holy, just and true. I love you, Lord. You’re gracious and ever-kind. Thank you for the honour of being in fellowship with you, to experience your divine love in ways beyond human comprehension, and for making me an expression of you and of your love. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Ephesians 2:4-7; John 3:16
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Revelation 17 & Zechariah 1-3
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Revelation 19:1-10 & Zechariah 5-6