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Have You Ever Read Someone Else’s Love Letter?By Ed Delph July 3, 2017![]()
Did you get that last statement? If you are not in the relationship, the love letter seems pretty silly, perhaps even stupid. Why? You’re not the one in the relationship. Let me take this thought a step further. Do you realize the Bible is God’s love letter to us? Now, if you are not in a relationship with God, the Bible seems well, silly. But if you are in a relationship with God by accepting Jesus Christ into your heart, it takes on a whole different meaning.
That is why many think the Bible seems strange, not relevant, or judgmental. It’s easy to misunderstand when you are observing rather than participating. The participant has been where the observer is, but the observer has never been where the participant is.
For example, someone who is not in a relationship with God yet might be at a football game. He might see a John 3:16 sign in the audience. His first thought might be, “What does that mean? This is a football game, not a church!” While I agree with him in that point, I also understand that the person holding the sign is most likely in a relationship with God. The sign to him means much more than the observer. He found love from the God who is love. He just wants to make insider information, outsider information.
John 3:16 essentially says; “This is how much God loved the world: He gave His Son, His one and only Son. This is why: by believing in Him, we can have an abundant life both now and forever. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending His Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help. He came to put the world right again.”
Because God loves, He came. Because He came, He gave. Because He gave, He saved us. Because He saved us, He redeemed us. Because He redeemed us, we live. Because we live, we can love. Because we love, we care. Because we care, we share.
Remember, God is love. Love caused God to reach out, write, and demonstrate His love letter…the Bible! However, having a love letter and reading the love letter are two different things. Open your Bible, read God’s love letter to you, and spread the love around! That kind of love will keep us together with God, and then with one another for a long, long time.
Ed Delph July 3, 2017 CCC
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Ed Delph is a leader in church-community connections. Visit Ed Delph's website at www.nationstrategy.com
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