TRANSFORMING LOVE: GOD LOVES YOU WITH A HOLY LOVE, PART 1

TRANSFORMING LOVE

GOD LOVES YOU WITH A “HOLY” LOVE, Part 1

“... [No]… greater love…than this…” (John 15:13 KJV).

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God, the Holy Spirit, has chosen you. God, the Holy Spirit’s, “good news” has drawn you.  God, the Holy Spirit’s “measure of faith” has been GIFTED to you, and now God, the Holy Spirit’s, HOLY, unconditionally love promises to BOND you to his heart, forever! “…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). He has “….loved [his people]...with an everlasting  … love….” (Jeremiah 31:3 KJV). “…There is no greater  … LOVE …” (John 15:13 NLT).

“… [Nothing]…will be able to separate [mankind]... from the [UNCONDITIONAL] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord…” (Romans 8:31-39 NASB).

Because human LOVE has become so common, devalued, tainted, disrespected, dishonored, and abused it is HARD to get a TRUE grasp of God’s HOLY LOVE. God’s LOVE is “SO” SAFE and SECURE, you can ABIDE or REST in it FOREVER. “…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).

“…I AM WITH [my people] ALWAYS, to the very end…"(Matthew 28:20 NIV).  Truly, “…God with us…” (Matthew 1:23 NASB). “…If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is…” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT). “…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV).

“…abide in me, and I in you…” (John 15:4 KJV). To “abide in God, who is love” is to stay engulfed, surrounded, covered, or soaked IN His HOLY LOVE, which is experienced “in” Christ. “… [the [UNCONDITIONAL, holy] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord…” (Romans 8:31-39 NASB).

 

 All true lessons in love begin with God’s kind of love HE says, “….as I have loved you… love one another….” (John 13:34 ASV).

If God’s people don’t, personally, KNOW how God has LOVED them, how can they truly LOVE others in the SAME WAY? “...Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is begotten of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love...” (1 John 4:7-8 ASV).

“….as I have loved you… love one another….” (John 13:34 ASV).

When God’s people begin to learn about God’s HOLY LOVE their OWN hearts will reveal the difference between how HE loves and how they love. “...For from within, out of the heart of man, proceed evil thoughts… wickedness… pride...  All these evil things come from within, and defile a person...” (Mark 7:21-23 KJV).

God says, “…love your enemies…” “…pray for them which persecute you...” “…if your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; if he be thirsty, give him water to drink...” “…do good to them which hate you….” “..bless them that curse you...” “….pray for them that despitefully use you…” “…lay not … sin [against people]…” AND “[don’t pay]…one evil for [another] evil…” (Matthew 5:44; 1 Samuel 24:17; Proverbs 19:11; Proverbs 25:21; Luke 6:27-28; Acts 7:60; Romans 12:20; and 1 Thessalonians 5:15 KJV).

“…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “..Jesus’ ...[was]... the EXACT representation of his being (Holy loving nature)…” (Hebrews 1:3 KJV). “…In this world [God’s people]... are like Jesus…” (1 John 4:17 NIV). They are to “...Be[come] … imitators of [Jesus]…” (Hebrews 12:14; Ephesians 5:1 ASV). “… growing in every way more and more like Christ…” (Ephesians 4:14-16 NLT).

When God’s people love like Jesus “… [they demonstrate they are] children of [their heavenly]... Father which is in heaven; for He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just (righteous) and the unjust.(unrighteous)…” (Matthew 5:45 KJV).

“….as I have loved you… love one another….” (John 13:34 ASV). How has God “LOVED YOU” and how does that love “TRANSFORM YOU?” “…God is LOVE…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…God (LOVE) chose [YOU]... in Christ before the foundation of the world…” (Ephesians 1:4).

^“…God SHOWED HIS GREAT LOVE FOR [YOU] by “SENDING” Christ to DIE for [you] WHILE [you] were still [a sinner]…” (Romans 5:7-9 NLT).

“…He did this, not because [YOU]... DESERVED it, but because that was his [loving]... plan from before the beginning of time …” (2 Timothy 1:9 NLT).

“... [THEN God]... predestined [YOU]... to [be ADOPTED]... AS [HIS]...SONS (daughters) through Jesus Christ to Himself ACCORDING TO THE KIND INTENTION OF HIS WILL …” (Ephesians 1 NLT).

“…[Thus, God]…sent His Son...” (1 John 4:10 KJV).   “… [He sent the] …one … who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT). “…This is what he wanted (CHOSE) to do, and it gave him great pleasure…” (Ephesians 1 NLT).

“...to the praise of the glory of His grace, with which He favored us in the Beloved...” (Ephesians 1:6 NASB).

“… [God]…hath made [his people]... ACCEPTED in the beloved…” (Ephesians 1:6 KJV). “...In Him [his people]... have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of [their[ wrongdoings, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on [them]. In all wisdom and insight...” (Ephesians 1:7-8 NASB).

“…He is “SO” RICH in kindness and GRACE that he purchased [their].. freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave [their]... sins…” (Ephesians 1:7 NLT).

“…God, in his grace, freely makes [his people]... right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed [them]... from the penalty for [their]... sins…” (Romans 3:21-26 NLT).

“...In Him [his people]... also have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things in accordance with the plan of His will...” (Ephesians 1:11-12 NASB).

“… [Everyone]… who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. [They]…are [ALL]… part of the same body, and enjoy the promise of blessings because THEY BELONG TO CHRIST JESUS…” (Ephesians 3:6 NLT). 

“....  I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, …” (Ephesians 1 NLT). “...and what is the boundless greatness of His power toward us who believe....” (Ephesians 1:18-19 NASB).

“…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…the Spirit of God dwell in [God’s children]…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). “…He restoreth my SOUL…” (Psalm 23 KJV).

“….Jesus Christ maketh [his people]... WHOLE (AGAIN)…” (Acts 9:34 KJV). “... and [they become] ...living soul[s again] …” (Genesis 2:7 KJV).

“…If any man (woman) be in Christ, he (she) is a NEW CREATURE …” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “… [New creations]… are HIS workmanship, created in Christ Jesus (the true VINE) unto good works …” (Ephesians 2:10 KJV).

ALL OF THIS, “… because the Lord loves His people …” (2 Chronicles 2:11 NASB). “… I have loved [them]... with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn [them]... with lovingkindness…” (Jeremiah 31:3 NASB).  “… Indeed, He loves the people…” (Deuteronomy 33:3 NASB).

God is the ORIGIN of LOVE. “…God is LOVE…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…God’s  love has been poured out INto …[his people’s]… hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to [them]…” (Romans 5:5 NIV).

“…Herein is love, not that [God’s people]... loved God, but that HE [first] LOVED [them]...” (1 John 4:10 KJV). “...[god’s people]... love, because [god, the holy spirit]… “FIRST” LOVED [them]…” (1 John 4:19 ASV). ^“….God SHOWED HIS GREAT LOVE FOR [them]…” (Romans 5:7-9 NLT).

“…There is no greater LOVE [than god, the holy spirit’s love] …” (John 15:13 NLT). SO, “….as I have loved you… love one another….” (John 13:34 ASV).

 

God’s people who proclaimed they’ve been SAVED by the God of LOVE and have FREELY received his many GIFTS of love, often won’t offer that SAME love to others. “...So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them…” (Matthew 7:12 RSV).

“….as I have loved you… love one another….” (John 13:34 ASV).

 God’s HOLY LOVE is the most powerful expression, demonstrate, and BOND available to mankind. “…God is  love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “… I have loved [my people]... with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn [them]... with lovingkindness…” (Jeremiah 31:3 NASB). “…Love … is the perfect BOND of unity...” (Colossians 3:14 NASB).  

Humanity, without God, the Holy Spirit of LOVE, can weaken the true expression and demonstration of love. “… [My]… thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways…..as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts…” (Isaiah 55:8-9 ASV). 

Love has become WAX COLD as well as severely abused, disrespected, dishonored, and tainted over the years.  “….Apart from ...[God, the Holy Spirit of LOVE, his people]… can do nothing …” (John 15:5 NIV).

Without God, the Holy Spirit of LOVE, human love is limited to human efforts and is just a FLESHY connection. "…That which is born (originates from) of the flesh is flesh…” (John 3:6 KJV).“...the flesh profits nothing…” (John 6:63 NASB).

It is impossible to truly experience a spiritual LOVE BOND or spiritual CONNECTION without God, the Holy Spirit. “…God is Spirit …” (John 4:24 KJV). “…The [Holy] Spirit of God dwell[s] in you (in the hearts of HIS people)…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). “…He [or she]… that is joined unto the Lord is ONE SPIRIT….” (1 Corinthians 6:17). "…That which is born (originates from) of the Spirit is spirit…” (John 3:6 KJV).

Sex (a physical bond), alone, does not and will not produce the BOND that spiritual love does. “…Put on love (God is LOVE), which is the perfect BOND of unity...” (Colossians 3:14 NASB). And, “...But he (she) that is joined (indwelled by the Holy Spirit) unto the Lord is one spirit...” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV).

In order to EXPERIENCE spiritual love, a person chooses to BECOME “ONE SPIRIT” with God, the Holy Spirit, FIRST. “...But he (she) that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit...” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV). "…That which is born (originates from) of the Spirit is spirit…” (John 3:6 KJV).

BECOMING “ONE SPIRIT” with God, the Holy Spirit, through Jesus, is becoming “ONE SPIRIT” with LOVE. “…God is love…” (1 John 4:8 KJV).

 “…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV).When God’s people truly KNOW God, who is love, they will begin to imitate him.  “…every one that loveth …. KNOWETH God. He that loveth NOT KNOWETH NOT God; for God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV).

It is a KNOWN fact, that who you hang with can impact and influence your behavior and you’ll start becoming like the company you keep. “…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV) “...Walk with the wise (LOVE) and become wise (LOVING), for a companion of fools suffers harm...” (Proverbs 13:20 NIV).

Jesus said, “…..what he seeth (from keeping company with him) the Father doing… he doth… in like manner...” (John 5:19 KJV). “...Walk with the wise (LOVE) and become wise (LOVING)..” (Proverbs 13:20 NIV).

According to the scriptures, a distinguishing MARK of God’s people is that they “…have love one to another...” (John 13:35 KJV). “…Ye shall [be known]… by [your]… fruits…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV). “…[One of]...the fruit of the Spirit is love…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “…All men (women) will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another…" (John 13:35 NASB).“...Anyone (NO EXCEPTIONS) who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God...” (1 John 3:7-10 NLT).

In addition, the WORD says the greatest commandments are “… you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27 RSV).

God’s people can desire and follow after many, many things; spiritual or non-spiritual pursuits, but the scriptures tell THEM to “…follow the way of love…” (1 Corinthians 14:1 NIV).

What you CHOOSE to follow or PRIORITIZE is a directive expression of your wants and desires. “…They ABANDONED the Lord… they turned their backs on him….” (2 Chronicles 29:6 NLT).  “…We will continue to live as WE WANT TO, stubbornly following our own evil desires…” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT). “…My people would not listen to me. They KEPT DOING WHATEVER THEY WANTED, following the stubborn desires of their [OWN] evil hearts…” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT).

“…follow the way of love…” (1 Corinthians 14:1 NIV). What you follow and focus upon becomes your master and teacher. “...Walk with the wise (LOVE) and become wise (LOVING)..” (Proverbs 13:20 NIV). “…to whom [YOU willfully choose to] yield yourselves servants to obey, his (her) servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (Romans 6:16 KJV). “...Anyone (NO EXCEPTIONS) who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God...” (1 John 3:7-10 NLT).

The BIBLE says: “…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV) Therefore, God, the Holy Spirit of LOVE is the reality of love, the definition of love, the behavior of love, the attitude of love, the personification of love, the faithfulness of love, the immutability of love, the Spirit of love and the purity or holiness of love. “...God, [the Holy Spirit]... is love…” (1 John 4:8).

Man’s love without God, is limited by sinful flesh, but God’s HOLY LOVE is “NOT.”  “...[His] ways are higher than [mankind’s] ways [and His] thoughts than [their] ways...” (Isaiah 55:9 KJV).“… I the LORD am ...[the]...Saviour ...[of my people]…” (Isaiah 60:16 KJV). “…there is none like unto thee…” (Jeremiah 10:6 KJV).

God is love and he is his OWN standard for LOVE, which he expresses and demonstrates by what he does. His STANDARDS for LOVE are much HIGHER than mankind’s standards. “… [My]… thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways…..as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts…” (Isaiah 55:8-9 ASV). 

I thought I was a LOVING person, but I can attest I was NOT as LOVING as I thought I was. I didn’t truly KNOW love until I learned of God’s love for me through revelation knowledge. It was only then that I understood how to genuinely and authentically love myself and others. “... [God’s people] love, because he first loved [them]...” (1 John 4:19 ASV).

Corinthians chapter thirteen says:  “...Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres, Love never fails...” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 NIV).  

My description of God’s awesome love, will be meager, but I will give it a good old college try:

God’s love is patient and enduring. God’s people are biblically assured over and over that God’s “…..lovingkindness endureth for ever…” (Psalm 106:1, Psalm 100:5, 1 Chronicles 16:34 KJV).

 God’s love is faithful. God’s people never have to worry about the abandonment of God’s love; it will patiently continue forever and ever.

God’s people are guaranteed that “….neither death, nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate [you]… from the love of God which is “in” Christ Jesus our Lord...” (Romans 8:38-39 KJV).

Nothing they say or do will stop God, the Holy Spirit, from loving them.  God’s people can be assured that “….the…faithful love of the Lord, [for them], never ends...!”(Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT).

His love for his people never runs out, because its UNCONDITIONAL. God is so very patience with his people that he waits for them no matter what is happening or how long it’s been happening.

God loves his people for FREE on PURPOSE and “…his faithful love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods….His faithful love endures forever……His faithful love endures forever…” (Psalm 136:1-3 NLT).

Other people may start out loving you and later stop loving you, but God’s love is patience and enduring. God is always in right standing with his people, in regard to his “enduring love”, even if they are NOT in right standing with HIM. “…If [his people]... are unfaithful, [God, the Holy Spirit]... remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is…” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT). “...God, [the Holy Spirit]... is love…” (1 John 4:8).

Human love may not endure all things or last a lifetime, but God’s love “…endureth all things… [and] endureth forever...” (1 Corinthians 13:7 & Psalm 106:1).

When God’s people are out of fellowship with God, it is their CHOICE; not his choice. Nonetheless, God’s remains FAITHFULLY patience. “….the…faithful love of the Lord, [for them], never ends...!”(Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT).

God’s love is kind. “….God careth for [his people]… (1 Peter 5:7 KJV). “…He cares for those who trust in him...” (Nahum 1:7 NIV). “…How great is [God’s benevolent kindness], which [He lays] up for them that fear [Him]… [or] for them that take refuge in [Him]…” (Psalm 31:19-20 KJV).

God’s very nature is kind, which means “….he is good [deeply caring]... “ALL” the time (1 Chronicles 16:34, Ezra 3:11, and Psalm 107).

God’s kindness can be experienced through the richness of grace, his daily mercy, his role as our “good” Shepherd, in Christ’s death on the cross, and in all the ways in which he pours out his kindness upon ALL humanity.

How great is God’s benevolent kindness who, “… maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? (Matthew 5:46-48 KJV).  

 People, in general, can be unkind at times or display aspects of a mean, hateful heart. Unkind acts can be witnessed in behaviors such as prejudice, stubbornness, pride, rebellion, revenge, murder, unforgiveness, judgement, or selfishness.

God’s kindness is immutably “….tenderhearted… [and]… forgiving…” God’s kindness is generous towards his people at all times. He causes his “goodness and lovingkindness [to]… follow [his people]… all the days of [their]… life…” (Psalm 23:6 KJV).  

God’s very presence is an act of kind toward his people. “...Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me …” (Psalms 51:10-19 KJV). “…[god’s] Presence will go with [his people]…” (Exodus 33:14 NIV). “...You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand...” (Psalms 16:11 NIV).

God, the Holy Spirit’s, tender, loving care “runneth over” for his people and he is purposefully generous to them. (Psalm 23:5).

God is so KIND he stays close to his people in case they call out to him. “..The LORD is nigh to them that call upon him, to all that call on him in truth...” (Psalm 145:18 KJV). The bible says, “…they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they shall not find me...” (Proverbs 1:28 ASV).  “…I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).

However SIN and HOLINESS naturally SEPARATE; just like oil and water. “…Your [continual practice of]...INIQUITIES (sin) [can] separated  ... you and your God (Holy) …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). “…It’s YOUR [continual, ongoing practice of]...SINS that [will]... cut you off from God (who is HOLY)…” (Isaiah 59:2 NLT).

If God’s people willing choose to go back to practicing wickedness and not obey, they should remember, “…God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will (Job 35:13).   

“…..God will not hear [their]… empty cry; neither will the Almighty regard it….” (Job 35:13 ASV).

“...[The wicked] cried, but there was none to save [them] –unto [God], but answered [he] them not...”(Psalm 18:41 ASV).

“...He… [fulfills] the desire of them that fear (respect) him; he… [hears] their cry and… [saves]… them” (Psalm 145:19 ASV).

God’s “kind” love is a “covenant unity” relationship with his people. ^“…Like a will that takes effect when someone dies, the new covenant was put into action at Jesus’ death. His death marked the transition from the old plan to the new one, canceling the old obligations and accompanying sins, and summoning the heirs to receive the eternal inheritance that was promised them. He brought together God and his people in this new way…” (Hebrews 9:16-17 MSG).

A covenant with God is not like a covenant with mankind, but much greater. Mankind’s covenants may be an equal exchange of favors. The covenant with God is not an equal exchange. It seems almost one-sided since God REMAINS faithful no matter WHAT.

God, through Jesus gave his life to establish a new covenant with his people, again. “…This is the blood of the covenant commanded by God.” He did the same thing with the place of worship and its furniture. Moses said to the people, “This is the blood of the covenant God has established with you.” Practically everything in a will hinges on a death. That’s why blood, the evidence of death, is used so much in our tradition, especially regarding forgiveness of sins” (Hebrew 9:20 MSG).

When God is in covenant with his people, through Jesus Christ, HIS faithful is guaranteed, but his people’s faithfulness is not guaranteed. “...If we give up and turn our backs on all we’ve learned, all we’ve been given, all the truth we now know, we repudiate Christ’s sacrifice and are left on our own to face the Judgment—and a mighty fierce judgment it will be! If the penalty for breaking the law of Moses is physical death, what do you think will happen if you turn on God’s Son, spit on the sacrifice that made you whole, and insult this most gracious Spirit? This is no light matter. God has warned us that he’ll hold us to account and make us pay. He was quite explicit: “Vengeance is mine, and I won’t overlook a thing” and “God will judge his people.” Nobody’s getting by with anything, believe me...” (Hebrews 10:20-31 MSG).

Again, the “covenant unity” relationship is unique to God where his people are actually the more FAVORED, because God, the Holy Spirit goes ALL IN.   “...And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you,  What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them...” (Mark 11:22-24 KJV)

“...For [the Lord] blesses the righteous (his people), [and surrounds] him (her) with favor as with a shield...” (Psalm 5:12 ASV).

"...Behold, I am with… [you, my people] and will keep… [you] whithersoever [you]… goest, and will bring …[you] again into this land. For I will not leave [you]… until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of…." (Genesis 28:15 ASV).

“…This is love…” (1 John 4:10 NLT). “…God is [unconditonal]… LOVE…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…There is no greater love …” (John 15:13 NLT).