And We Have Known And Believed The Love That God Hath To Us - Part 2390

This is a republish of an earlier blog -- Herein Is Love Made Perfect; In His Abundant, Everlasting Grace - Part 2350.

"And it shall be said in that day, "Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation." (Isaiah 25:9)

In the scriptures, the term "in that day" refers to this current dispensation of grace, wherein the Lord willingly levelled the playing field so that each and every one of us could have an opportunity to abide in Him. As the Good Shepherd, He lay down His humanity so that we could come to the knowledge of His saving grace. That we might know -- by grace are we saved through faith, and that not of ourselves -- it is the gift of God.

Still, for those who may not know, His Name is JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins. Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. This same God who created the earth and all that is within in the very beginning decided then that He would become our Saviour. After the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. (Titus 3:4-7)

The mystery that was held in the bosom of the Father until this day!

But for far too many, the modern day religious culture with all its ordinances and sacraments (and sadly, as well idols) has taken root, and as a consequence, too many believers have moved away from rejoicing, praying without ceasing, and giving continual praise to the Lord, confessing His precious, holy Name to one and all.

It is herein that questions need to be asked that will prompt us to return to the Lord our God who loves us beyond measure. For this, we look into an example Mark elaborated upon -- when Jesus came into His own country to teach in the synagogue.

"And Jesus went out from thence, and came into His own country; and His disciples follow Him.

And when the sabbath day was come, He began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing [Him] were astonished, saying, "From whence hath this man these things? And what wisdom is this which is given unto Him, that even such mighty works are wrought by His hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at Him." (Mark 6:1-3)

In His own country knowing who His earthly parents were, those hearing Jesus were astonished. Those listening to Jesus share wanted to know from whence hath this man these things. This knowledge that was not earthly but ever sustaining -- heavenly. More importantly, these asked what wisdom is this which is given unto Him, that even such mighty works are wrought by His hands.

Miracle after miracle. Wisdom and knowledge displayed every time the Pharisees and scribes, and the lawyers tried to trick Him. While Jesus continued to heal the sick, and open the eyes of the blind, healing the broken-hearted, those who watched Him had questions. And the list of questions growing -- "What manner of man is this?"

My point is this -- when did we who profess to believe stop marvelling at the goodness and mercy of the Lord Jesus, knowing that He shed His precious, holy blood on a cross for us? When did we stop acknowledging all the blessings the Lord Jesus bestows upon us every day, confessing His Name in all that we do? When did we stop being thankful for His mighty deliverance from situations that could have been detrimental? When will we rejoice because we now live forevermore?

More importantly, when will we become equally "astonished" at the wonderful works of His hands to the point that our hearts and minds are transformed? Yes, we have so very much to be thankful for, knowing that herein -- within the good news gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, is love made perfect.

"And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwells in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear ...." (I John 4:16-18)

Meditate on these things this day!  Stand in the offering plate.