For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life ~ John 3:16.

Introduction

Often, we get caught up in the externalities of Christmas - the evergreen songs, the dazzling lights, the designer wears, the Christmas shows on television, and the gifts wrapped in colorful packages. But this season is so much more than that. We must rather keep the steady flame of Christ’s love burning in our hearts always, and especially now.

We cannot afford to indulge in mere sentimentalities over the birth of Jesus without understanding the price the Lord paid for our redemption. We need to be alert in our hearts and minds, and be truly open to Jesus Christ who was born to redeem us.

Yes, in these ominous days, many people, globally, fear what may lie behind the impenetrable veil of the future. Economic recessions? Dwindling opportunities? Decayed public infrastructure? Joblessness? Political uncertainties? Violent extremism? And so on.

They cannot tell, but we may turn in confidence to our God and to His unfeigned love for us (Isaiah 46:4). We must keep in mind that, whatever happens around us, God’s love still assures us of Christ’s abiding presence (Hebrews 13:5). This love is epitomized in the coming of Jesus Christ as Saviour of the world.

The Price of God’s Redeeming Love

It was into a dark sinning world that God’s light and love appeared through Jesus Christ. The world was filled with chaos, wickedness and sin, but hope arrived and the atmosphere changed permanently when He came among us to save us from sin and Satan.

Many people look at sin as a very common and cheap thing to practice. Yes, but when we think deeply about the issue of its cost, we would reconsider our position. Sin is extremely expensive! Pardoned or unpardoned, its cost is infinitely great.

To be pardoned for sin, the cost falls chiefly on the great atoning Substitute, Jesus Christ the Redeemer. But the cost of unpardoned sins falls on the head of the guilty sinner. And, that’s hell-expensive!

The price of redeeming a sinful man is extremely high; nothing that compares to it is ever known. Even all the riches of the earth cannot pay the price of redeeming man, because it costs more than the whole world’s wealth (Psalm 49:6–8; Mark 8:36).

In redeeming man from sin, God had to sacrifice His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, shedding His blood on the cross at Calvary in a very painful death. And, this shows how much God and His Son, Jesus Christ, love mankind (1 John 4:9, Rom 5:8).

The redeeming love of God to the sinning world is a sacrificial love (1John 3:1; 4:10). It is not only an emotional feeling; it is God Himself personified. Not just in mere words; it was a real love backed by action.

The love is limitless and all-inclusive love, for the whole world. It is joyfully selfless, never ending, patient and kind; it protects, perseveres and never fails (1 Corinthians 13:4-8). Just like it was in the Garden of Eden, when, with a loving voice God called out to Adam, He is still searching for lost sinners till today (Genesis 3:9; Ezekiel 22:30; Jeremiah 5:1; Isaiah 59:16).

Keeping Yourself in this Unfailing Love

God’s love is so infinitely deep, and He desires that we keep ourselves in it. He also wants us to show this love as we labour to impact the world, especially with the gospel.

Certainly, God’s love is a noble way of life, yet even true Christians must grow up in it. Until divine love matures and abides in the heart, living remains a deep constant struggle.

As established in the earlier discourse on this subject, God poured His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit and commanded us to love others with it (John 13:34-35). We are indeed commanded to display, demonstrate and manifest this love of God in all our dealings (1 John 4:7).

Hypocrites cannot sustain God’s love in their hearts because it is not a set of rules to keep but the disposition of a new heart given by God. Contrariwise, those full of God’s love will find it compelling to love, even their enemies. Pure divine love is the love that sent Jesus to the cross, and it demonstrates compassion on those suffering the effects of sin in the human race.

When the believer walks together in love, the devil becomes edgy, knowing full well that his work will be very much hindered. And, precautionary to this, the devil throws spanners in the wheels of the Christian walk. Hence, those who wish to keep themselves in God’s love in view of eternity must take note of the following laws of love.

Firstly, avoid strife. Strife is one of the biggest enemies of love. Indeed, strife can reduce the benefits, potency and impact of the love of God in any family, Church and community where it is allowed. Every effort exerted in an environment of strife cannot yield maximally (1 Corinthians 3:1-3; James 3:16).

Secondly, forgive offenses. It should be expected that offenses will show up occasionally in every human relationship. Offenses sometimes arise unintentionally, but they occur mostly at times when we become careless about the feelings of other people.

We all should learn to talk things over, living, walking and working in the attitude of forgiveness, remembering we all as humans do offend other people also (Mark 11:22-26; Matthew 18:23-35). Undoubtedly, there is great power in forgiveness.

Thirdly, be love-conscious. In order to keep ourselves in the love of God, we ought to be love-conscious, not self-conscious (1John 4:12). Never dignifying any situation to the point of allowing such to steal the love of God from our hearts, we ought to act consciously in the love of God at all times.

Jesus Christ is the banner and the epitome of God’s love for the world (2 Thessalonians 2:16). He is not willing that anyone should perish but that all men should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4).

Beloved, have you accepted this great love of God? I implore all men and women, the world over, to rise up at once and embrace this love and begin to enjoy the hope and peace it brings.

Happy Sunday and Merry Christmas in advance!

• Bishop Taiwo Akinola,

Rhema Christian Church,

Otta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

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