Love's recipe
Jude 1
Context
Their design is to replace the sheer grace of our God with sheer license—which means doing away with Jesus Christ, our one and only Master. Infiltrated by people who exchanged the grace of God for a lie - that grace covers everything so we can be as sinful as we want to be. Passion translation
Grace teaches us to say no.
The Message
17-19 But remember, dear friends, that the apostles of our Master, Jesus Christ, told us this would happen: “In the last days there will be people who don’t take these things seriously anymore. They’ll treat them like a joke, and make a religion of their own whims and lusts.” These are the ones who split churches, thinking only of themselves. There’s nothing to them, no sign of the Spirit!
20-21 But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God’s love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life!
22-23 Go easy on those who hesitate in the faith. Go after those who take the wrong way. Be tender with sinners, but not soft on sin. The sin itself stinks to high heaven.
24-25 And now to him who can keep you on your feet, standing tall in his bright presence, fresh and celebrating—to our one God, our only Savior, through Jesus Christ, our Master, be glory, majesty, strength, and rule before all time, and now, and to the end of all time. Yes.
Keep yourself in the love of God - implies we can remove ourselves from His love - which I don't believe.
Questions:
• How do we keep ourselves in the centre of God's love?
• How do we build ourselves up?
Above all not being caused to deviate away from Jesus because of the lifestyle, opinion and teaching of those devoid of the Spirit.
1 Love God with all you heart, soul and mind. This is your mixing bowl, the container into which everything is contained.
Matt 22v36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”
37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment.
2 Pour in forgiveness :
• by God,
1 John1v8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
• of ourselves, and
• of others. None of us are perfect so others will not be perfect either. Sometimes their wrongdoings or omissions can hurt us - so we need to forgive.
Col 3v12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
3 Add seasoning. Keep your heart healthy! Don’t let bitterness, resentment, jealousy etc take root in you or become a pattern. This will only serve to grieve the Holy Spirit.
Eph 4v31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
Heb 12v15 14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;
Eph 4v 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
4 Add handfuls of believing the truth of what God says about you. Don't believe lies that have been spoken to us or over us. This happens so easily! Believe the truth of what God says to us in the Bible or directly to us.
Great question: Father what do you think of me?
5 Pour in speaking to yourself and being encouraged by other believers! "Steve Backlund - you're crazy if you don't speak to yourself".
Speak out what God says about you:
• I'm a son/daughter of God
• I'm loved by God
• His grace is enough for me
• His favour rests upon me
• I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
Col 3v16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
Heb 3v13 encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today’, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
6 Add bottles of being filled with the Spirit - every day and on every occasion.
Eph 5 v 15 - 20
7 Cook over an open fire - Pray in the Spirit - with all types of prayer - thanksgiving and supplications - and speak in the language given you by God as a gift - both your native language or the one you have adopted, and the one given you by God. Accept it as a gift and use it.
A natural consequence of being filled with the Spirit!
Tell Jesus how much you love Him. Seek to find new words and ways of expressing your love to Him.
Jesus, please show me how much you love me.
