PASTOR JOHN COLLINS REDEEMING THE GOSPEL: Selfless love
Pastor John Collins
writes:
“ ‘Now My soul is troubled, and what
shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to
this hour. ‘Father, glorify Your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven,
saying, ‘I have both glorified it and will glorify
it again.’ Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it
had thundered. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to Him.’ Jesus answered and
said, ‘This voice did not come because of Me, but for
your sake.’” John 12:27-30 (NKJV).
Jesus grew up knowing the duty and responsibilities that He
had been given. He knew what would come and He lived with an awareness of what
was to be gained. He did not live with His own needs and wants but with those
of His Father’s. Jesus was driven to give as He had always seen God give.
It is so clear that Jesus wanted those He encountered to
understand the gifts that came from the Father. He wanted them to know that God
was reaching out to them. He often pointed out that certain things were done
for the benefit of others. Jesus did not need the reassurances that we need and
did not lack the understanding that we do.
I believe that we often take too much of life for granted.
We should slow down and look up. We should stop in our tracks and pray. Jesus
was mindful of God always and was mindful of His impact on our souls. Jesus
cares for us and wanted only the best for those that He ministered to. His life
was full of determination for all of the right things. We have so much to learn
from Him and we have so much be thankful for.
If there is one thing that you can do for yourself in your
daily lives, it is to take the time to connect with the Lord. You should be
seeking the opportunities to quiet your lives and to become more aware of God.
You should think about what you have done in your life and what you want to do.
But do this according to the gospel of Christ and see where that takes you.
God has always done things to reach us and has always
provided a way home. God has given us His Son and we should take note of the
character of Jesus so that we can learn from Him. Jesus pleased God in every
way and we should seek to do the same. It is possible for us to have the
commitment to God that Jesus displayed by choosing to follow our Lord.
Let us be aware of the efforts of God and Jesus and let us
respond to their love. Let us be honest with ourselves in our lives and be
willing to sacrifice for our eternal souls. Let us become more faithful people
who choose to pay attention to the things that are above over the things of
this earth. Let us praise God for His consideration and selfless love.
“’Now is the judgment of this world;
now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the
earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.’” John 12:31-32 (NKJV).
LOVE THAT CROSS, PASTOR JOHN COLLINS