John 3:21 But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God."
God has revealed His amazing love in Christ. Love has moved God to send His Son to be a savior to those upon whom He has chosen to lavish His love and grace. They once loved the darkness and ran from light because their deeds were evil. John described those who are saved in verse 21. They practice the truth by coming to the Light because they want God to get the glory. They want it to be shown that the works they do are God-wrought works.
Let’s notice that coming to the Light is a continual action—they practice the truth. What is the truth that they practice? They practice this truth: flesh cannot please God. All of their efforts to be righteous fall short of the glory of God. They aren’t afraid of coming to the Light with their evil deeds because they know they are covered by the blood of Christ. They also believe another truth: Any good in them, even that of hating the darkness and loving the Light, is a work of God’s grace in them.
That’s why I say we are living to love with Jesus and not just living to love. We acknowledge that the love we have for others is the love of Jesus, Himself, not a result of our good works for our own righteousness' sake. We know God only gets the glory if He does the work. Our prayer is for our works to be wrought in God, accomplished by Jesus working in and through us. Our boast is not in ourselves, but in the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
The apostle Paul echoed this truth in a couple of passages. Ephesians 2:10. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” And in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” This is the truth we practice by coming to the Light. We live to love with Jesus by the work and grace of God.
I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of “giving it forward,” so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.
