“We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.” – 1 John 4:19-21How are we supposed to forgive and forget? This weekend, people all over the country of America and many others around the world will be drawn to reflection on the morning of 9-11-2001. Of course this weekend marks the 10th Anniversary of, arguably, the most tragic single event to ever occur on American soil, as nearly 3,000 lives were taken, and several thousand others injured from a series of calculated, strategic attacks on our country. My sympathy and love go out to those grieving families, as I cannot imagine how much their life has changed in the last 10 years. The deaths on that day were not selective by any means. The victims included children, mothers, fathers, grand fathers and grand mothers; men and women of every race, every religion and every ethnic culture; the rich and the poor, the saved and the unsaved.
Over 10 years there have been countless debates as to the inspired groups behind the attacks, and I am not going to go down that path in this devotional. Regardless of the evil motives behind the plans of the attackers, I want to ask the more pointed question – can you love them? Those who hijacked the planes, those who spent years preparing for this day, those in command and leading the efforts from afar, can you forgive and love them?
Do you want to know how deep, strong and powerful God’s love is? Think about this or any other tragic event in your life, caused by another; and realize that God loves those individuals as much as He loves you. I must admit, there is no way, in my simple mind and openness to diversity and cultural differences, that I would have the capacity to love someone who intentionally murdered one of my family members. How are we supposed to forgive, forget and love those who strategically chose to bring harm on our brothers and sisters, family and friends? God commands us to love our brother as He loves us. How can God love these individuals that are driven by hate? It is true that God’s love is immutable – never changing. We receive His love by professing our belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Romans 8:38-39 clearly states that nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Jesus Christ our Lord.
So, what about those who reject the belief that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior; does God love them? God’s love is unchanging, but by their choice they are not experiencing His love. They have chosen to reject His love and grace and by doing so are driven by unrighteousness and worldly love. I do not believe that God loves me more than He loves an unbeliever. There is not a scale as to how little or how great His love is measured. His love is expressed in one simple way - through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. By my faith I experience God’s love more than a non-believer, but that doesn’t mean God’s love is different.
For those who violently attacked America on 9/11/2001, it is my belief that they did not believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and therefore will be judged one day accordingly and experience the wrath of God. For those who were behind those attacks; the leaders, the commanders, the trainers and those of similar evil wickedness; God’s abundant love is available to them as much as it is to me. But, they have to chose to accept it. That is our mission. To love others because God first loved us forces us to think beyond this world. God loves us so that we can join Him in heaven one day. That kind of love is far reaching and has eternal consequences. His desire is that all mankind make this same choice. We are His voice to the lost and the wicked, including those who have hurt us. We all need to expand our thinking beyond the emotion of this world, to the opportunity of eternity with God the Father, and share His love with everyone. That’s big love.
Over 10 years there have been countless debates as to the inspired groups behind the attacks, and I am not going to go down that path in this devotional. Regardless of the evil motives behind the plans of the attackers, I want to ask the more pointed question – can you love them? Those who hijacked the planes, those who spent years preparing for this day, those in command and leading the efforts from afar, can you forgive and love them?
Do you want to know how deep, strong and powerful God’s love is? Think about this or any other tragic event in your life, caused by another; and realize that God loves those individuals as much as He loves you. I must admit, there is no way, in my simple mind and openness to diversity and cultural differences, that I would have the capacity to love someone who intentionally murdered one of my family members. How are we supposed to forgive, forget and love those who strategically chose to bring harm on our brothers and sisters, family and friends? God commands us to love our brother as He loves us. How can God love these individuals that are driven by hate? It is true that God’s love is immutable – never changing. We receive His love by professing our belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Romans 8:38-39 clearly states that nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Jesus Christ our Lord.
So, what about those who reject the belief that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior; does God love them? God’s love is unchanging, but by their choice they are not experiencing His love. They have chosen to reject His love and grace and by doing so are driven by unrighteousness and worldly love. I do not believe that God loves me more than He loves an unbeliever. There is not a scale as to how little or how great His love is measured. His love is expressed in one simple way - through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. By my faith I experience God’s love more than a non-believer, but that doesn’t mean God’s love is different.
For those who violently attacked America on 9/11/2001, it is my belief that they did not believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and therefore will be judged one day accordingly and experience the wrath of God. For those who were behind those attacks; the leaders, the commanders, the trainers and those of similar evil wickedness; God’s abundant love is available to them as much as it is to me. But, they have to chose to accept it. That is our mission. To love others because God first loved us forces us to think beyond this world. God loves us so that we can join Him in heaven one day. That kind of love is far reaching and has eternal consequences. His desire is that all mankind make this same choice. We are His voice to the lost and the wicked, including those who have hurt us. We all need to expand our thinking beyond the emotion of this world, to the opportunity of eternity with God the Father, and share His love with everyone. That’s big love.
Heavenly Father,
We cannot fathom the depth of Your love for mankind. As evil and wicked as we are in our ways on this earth, Your love is still available to us. Soften our hearts, ease our pain and suffering that we might be able to share Your love with all mankind, including those that have hurt us. Help us to experience Your grace and mercy in such a way that it exudes from our being to all that we meet. I desire nothing more than to live for You and share Your love in this world. In Your name I pray – Amen
© Sondove Enterprises, 2011We cannot fathom the depth of Your love for mankind. As evil and wicked as we are in our ways on this earth, Your love is still available to us. Soften our hearts, ease our pain and suffering that we might be able to share Your love with all mankind, including those that have hurt us. Help us to experience Your grace and mercy in such a way that it exudes from our being to all that we meet. I desire nothing more than to live for You and share Your love in this world. In Your name I pray – Amen
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