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Love to the End

Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He now showed them the full extent of His love. (John 13:1 NIV)

No ministry of the servant of Jesus Christ can be a triumphant ministry unless there is a deep, strong, abiding love.... Love is going to solve our problems and to bring us into victory; but apart from a sufficient love, the problems of human make-up, the many differences of disposition and character and all that goes to make up a company, and the continuous drain and strain, with all the pressure that comes from the enemy, will present a problem, a perplexity and a paralyzing task....

We may ask, "How did the Lord manage to maintain the relationship with His disciples?" They were so difficult, so different, so disappointing. "Having loved His own... He loved them unto the end." That is the answer. Love got above all that they were; love gave the extra thing which enabled Him not to take them just as they were and end there. So in our relationships, the spirit of the true servant is only possible as there is a deep love. Upon all those who have ideas of serving the Lord and working for Him I would urge this consideration: that the work of the Lord is not some thing which you outwardly and objectively take up. It is (if it is the true thing) the outworking of love for the Lord and for those who are the objects of His love. That is very simple, but it goes to the heart of things. Sooner or later you and I will be brought to the position where the question will be, Have we sufficient love to go on? Can we find enough love in our hearts to get us through this particularly difficult situation? The situation will be constituted by all those factors which resolve us into servants, bondslaves. It would not have become so acute if only we had been esteemed and honored, and held in high regard. But when the situation is created by a great deal being expected of us, by demands being made upon our generosity, our kindness, calling for an almost inexhaustible fund of patience, and the letting go of personal feeling; when really the main issue in the crisis is this I am being imposed upon: too much is being expected of me: I am treated as a servant that is where we are found out. Love alone can support this service.

I, even I, am He who comforts you.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. § As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. § As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you. § [Cast] all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.

He will give you another Helper … the Spirit of truth. § The Spirit … helps in our weaknesses.

God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.

Isa. 51:12;  2 Cor. 1:3,4;  Ps. 103:13,14;  Isa. 66:13;  1 Peter 5:7;  Ps. 86:15;  John 14:16,17;  Rom. 8:26;  Rev. 21:4

You were called into the fellowship of His Son.

He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” § Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!

Be imitators of God as dear children. § If children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.

The brightness of His glory and the express image of His person. § Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame. § These things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. § As the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

1 Cor. 1:9;  2 Peter 1:17;  1 John 3:1;  Eph. 5:1;  Rom. 8:17;  Heb. 1:3;  Matt. 5:16;  Heb. 12:2;  John 17:13;  2 Cor. 1:5

Devastating Deviation

Study to show thyself approved unto God" (2 Tim. 2:15a).

There is as much error produced in failing to divide the Word at all, as there is in wrongly dividing it.

"Covenant Theology, at the utmost, is forgiveness of sins and divine favor enjoyed; and all that concerns their position in the Lord Jesus is ignored, or alas! guarded against as dangerous. Men are placed under the New Covenant which does not go beyond remission of sins and the law written in the heart. But being in Christ, and knowing it by the Holy Spirit, and what it involves now has dropped out of their creed altogether."

"We are come to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant' (Heb. 12:24). We are not come to the new covenant, but to Jesus the Mediator of it. I am associated with Him who is the Mediator; that is a much higher position than if we merely come to the covenant. He will make this new covenant with Israel on the millennial earth." -H.S.

"Non-dispensational teachers have endeavored to bring over the many promises of the physical and material aspects of kingdom salvation into the present dispensation, giving hope of material prosperity and physical health, as well as political peace. Failure to realize these promised goals has caused many to lose faith and to become bitter toward God Himself. The failure, of course, is not of God, but of teachers who have refused to rightly divide the Word of Truth."

"Calvin attempted by discipline of Church and State to make everyone live like a Christian - as did the Puritans as a result. This effort resulted in the need to use the Old Testament rather than the New as an ethical guide."

"A workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15b)

Jesus, The Unique Person - Perfect MAN Eternal SON (28)

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