How to Show Love

O. T. #2151  "How to Show Love"

March 17, 2022

Obadiah-Part 4

LET IT GLOW

How is your love life? Now, I am talking about your heart, is it loving others as it should? Claiming to love is not enough. Love is not sentiment, but deeds. (1John 3:18) Are we putting feet on our talk and walk?

Let's peek at what John MacArthur has to say about this:

When we have a lifestyle of love in action is the demonstrable proof of salvation, then shall assure our hearts before Him. (verses 16, 19)

John give 3 benefits of love  (of Christ) for the true Christian:

1. The first benefit is assurance of salvation since love in action is the test of Christian profession. (4:7) Displaying love as a pattern of life is the proof that believers stand uncondemned before God. (verse 19)
2. The second benefit of love is answered prayer. (verse 19-21) Since love is the heart of obedience to the law, its presence in one's life evidences submission to God which He blesses by answered prayers. (verse 22)
3. The third benefit of love is the abiding presence and empowering of the Holy Spirit. (verses 23-24)

Believing, loving, and obeying are the major evidences of true salvation.

Jesus reassured us when He said this:

For God so love the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

 

LET IT GROW

Judah had many attacks from their enemies throughout the centuries-Philistines, Arabians, Chaldeans, Babylonians, Romans, Moslems. Since they were descendants of Esau and Jacob, the Edomites were brothers with Judah.

In Obadiah, verses 12-14, we read of 8 admonitions delivered to Edom. In the day of Judah's calamity, he is not to:

1. gloat over the brother's day of misfortune; (verse 12)
2. rejoice over the day of destruction; (verse 12)
3. boast of his brother's day of distress; (verse 12)
4. enter his brother's gate in the day of his disaster; (verse 13)
5. gloat over his brother's calamity; (verse 13)
6. loot his brother's wealth; (verse 13)
7. harass the fugitives from Judah; (verse 14)
8. imprison the survivors from Judah. (verse 14)

How do we treat our brothers and sisters? Are they seeing Jesus in us?

LET IT GO

In the eye of the storm, You love surrounds me, Jesus.

You alone are the anchor, when my sails are torn; Your love surrounds me, in the eye of the storm.

Help us to obey Your Word, believe in You, Jesus, and love others as well love You.