Assurance of His Love

<sup>Contrary to the belief of some,  John was not conceited in proclaiming that he was the Disciple that Jesus loved. He had grasped something that we need to receive before we can have a true relationship with the Lord. THAT HE LOVES US! Once we get this into our Spirit, we will be able to forgive others the way that we must as He has commanded it. WE CANNOT LOVE OTHERS IF WE DO NOT LOVE OURSELVES. WE CANNOT LOVE OURSELVES FULLY UNLESS WE CAN GRASP ONTO THE FACT THAT GOD LOVES US. WE NEED TO KNOW THAT GOD LOVES US! That is probably why Peter lacked courage before the Spirit came on him at Pentecost. You will notice in the Gospels that he had spoken of the way he loved Christ, but he did not mention how Christ loves him. Remember how Peter thought he was unworthy to have his feet washed by Christ? Christ said he must allow Him in order that Peter could take part in Christ/salvation! In order for us to take part WE MUST RECEIVE the GIFT He is offering to every single one of us. Just as Peter needed to receive from Jesus the day that He cleaned his feet.

John 13:8</sup>

King James Version (KJV)

⁸ Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.


Jesus may not be here today physically asking that He may wash your feet, but I do feel that He is asking you to receive the Gift of His Spirit that is offerd freely to you. In light of the the Christmas season, let us ponder... If someone gives a gift to you, how well will you receive it?

In regards to John and the way he was able to grab ahold of the love that Christ is offering.

John 13:23-26 (King James Version)

²³ Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.

( KEEP IN MIND JOHN WROTE JOHN)
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1 JOHN 3

¹⁷ But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

¹⁸ My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

¹⁹ And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

19 SPEAKS TO HOW EVEN THOUGH WE ARE IN TRUTH, OUR HEARTS MAY TRY TO CONDEMN US BUT TO KNOW THAT GOD’s WORDS ARE STRONGER THAN OUR HEARTS, AND HE SAYS THAT WE ARE LOVED AND IN RIGHT STANDING ONCE WE BELIEVE IN CHRIST. WE CANNOT GO OFF OUR HEART FEELINGS SOMETIMES. IF WE DO NOT HAVE 100% CONFIDENCE IN THE FACT THAT WE ARE SAVED AND LOVED BY GOD, THIS IS OUR HEART TRYING TO CONDEMN US AND WE JUST HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT WHAT GOD SAYS IS TRUTH! NOT HOW WE MAY FEEL!

²⁰ For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

²¹ Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

²² And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

²³ And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

²⁴ And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

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JOHN 4

¹⁰ Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

¹¹ Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

¹⁹ We love him, because he first loved us.

HOW SURE ARE YOU THAT CHRIST/GOD LOVES YOU? !! ARE YOU WILLING TO FREELY LOVE OTHERS THE WAY THAT HE LOVES YOU?

Remember that God loved us while we were still sinners. He did not wait for us to become perfect. Please extend forgiveness to anyone that you need to today. We never know when are last day on this Earth will be.