OUR VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL RELATIONSHIP IS UNIQUE

Our vertical and horizontal relationship is unique

God wants our love made perfect inside of us and that is not easy when we battle the world, flesh and the devil everyday because temptations are constantly popping up in our life. The primary reason Jesus Christ desires this for us as His children is because our judge wants us to have boldness on the day of judgment. When I quote the passage you will see the phrase ... "Because as He is, so are we in this world." Jesus Christ desires us to be conformed to His image in our travels down here on earth.

The love that the Holy Spirit sheds upon our hearts is so strong that it casteth away all fear in our spirit. Did you ever notice that this type of fear has torment so I hope we can all understand why God wants our love made perfect in His Son?

As I reviewed in the last article we are able to do this because God first loved us so more specifically if we do have affection for God we can not hate our brother. If our vertical relationship with God is present then our horizontal fellowship with people will be put into practice. This is not a one time thing but a struggle everyday to obey this command. It is not easy because this takes the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts to have this love for Jesus Christ and people. Self, sins and flesh are constantly rising up in our lives so we have to constantly depend on God.

Another way we can look at this is if we can see our brother and not at the very least have Godly love for Him how can we love God who we can not see? The Apostle John turned the whole scenario around so I did the same thing. It is a commandment to love God and our brother which fulfills the whole law. Even if you do not know the ten commandments and practice this there will not be any problems in obeying Jesus Christ. 

All of this presupposes that we believe ... "Jesus is the Christ is born of God."  The Apostle John repeats himself many times on the golden rule but please do not walk away from this and get a false impression that this is easy to apply in our life.

John makes a very interesting point by saying that we are to obey the commandments of God but with the attitude that it is not a grievous thing to live this way before Jesus Christ and man. I don't know how many times I said, "I can't do this" but the Holy Spirit is always working in us so we can get to the point where we desire to obey God in all situations with the right spirit.

If we become strong Christians we will overcome the world through Jesus Christ which is our test and is accomplished when we have true faith in God. Let me give you a hint. The stronger we believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and is able to deliver us in our circumstances the more we will overcome this world. Let me quote  John 4:17-21 to 1 John 5:1-5 so you will see the original text in the Bible and perhaps make reference to the passage if need be for your edification in the Person of Jesus Christ.

(17) "Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as He is, so are we in this world. (18) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. (19) We love Him, because He first loved us. (20) If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen. (21) And this commandment have we from Him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. (1) WHOSOEVER believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God : and every one that loveth Him that begat loveth Him also that is begotten of Him. (2) By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments. (3) For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous. (4) For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. (5) Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?" 1 John 4:17-21 to 1 John 5:1-5.

It is obvious we are to love God and our brother but do we really apply this biblical principle in our lives? Loving God gives us peace which is closure for our spirit. It is ideal that we have boldness in the day of judgment but for all practical purposes not every Christian will experience this at the Bema seat.

Those that do have confidence in this day will be able to look Jesus Christ in His eyes but the most important truth they will be presented with is the Son of God is their friend. We will have boldness in that day if we are conformed to His image down here on earth.

Love is the vehicle in how this happens but earthly fear is the enemy. If true Godly love prevails fear ceases. It is our job to discern between the fear of God or being afraid of Him.

The proper fear of God is the essence of our faith in Jesus Christ. This is when we receive His love by experience but if we are scared of Jesus Christ understand it is rising up because of our guilt before Him. In this case fear will be turned to dread and this bad emotion has nothing to do with Godly love.

This is a decision we must make by having joy in Jesus Christ. Remember love casteth away fear so dread is something we want to avoid in our relationship with God. We need to understand that our Redeemer does love us but it is only at this point (when we understand this truth) that we can triumph in His affection for us as we journey down here in life on this earth. 

If our spirit is quiet fear will make it loud but if our heart is noisy then what the love of God does is replace the tormented emotions with His closure of peace. This should give us a hint that our love is not capable of doing this so why not ask the Holy Spirit to shed His love in our hearts? The love of God must be incomprehensible because at the very least more than once if you know what I mean we were miserable in life. We go through stages in our journey down here on earth and that is one of them. When God sheds His love on me it is a stamp on my soul. If I do not have this in my heart I walk around naked in a figurative way because not only do I not feel complete but probably am vulnerable and at the mercy of the world. 

If God grants us this love does it make any sense to look at our brother and cut him or her off from this wonderful Godly affection. What if I am having a really bad day and just feel horrible? That is the point when we want to start loving people because we can see them with our eyes.

The world goes about that in this fashion --- " I am miserable so I'm going to make you miserable." Demons do this in hell not to mention it lacks a great amount of intelligence on our part if that is the approach we have with people. Ideally we are to have the love of Jesus Christ in our hearts but if it is a bad hair day step out in faith and show love to your brothers and sisters because God will honor that and fill you with His presence. It is the perfect opportunity for our plight.

If we all accepted Jesus Christ into our hearts we are related to God. My true brother in Jesus Christ descends from God so he is to be beloved but do not show this wanting something back from him. This is not some business enterprise.

When we show Godly affection to our brothers and sisters in Christ God Himself is loved. This is one of the ways we learn the truth of our love to God.

The commandments of God are not hard but we can not see this as a grievous practice because a person that is born again through Jesus Christ is now serving God (born for God) so delighting rather than groaning is pleasant for our souls. Any other way is hardship. Did you ever notice this world will always find the miserable way?

We should always cleave to Jesus Christ by faith in this world because the Son of God conquered this world so that is the way we are victorious through the Lamb of God that died for our sins. He also rose again from the dead on the third day and He is coming again very soon to rapture His children and give them their resurrected bodies in heaven. Are you going up or will you be left behind?

We as Christians could never be satisfied with this world so we look beyond it because our real home is heaven. God desires us to be victories in His Son Jesus Christ and gain another world which is heaven. Did you ever notice how the news media talks and constantly tries to make their own utopia on this earth? Little do they know that the book of Revelation shows how bad this worldly order will be so keep your focus on Jesus Christ. This world in this sinful state was not designed to be our home. 

If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord it is biblically obedient to repent of all your sins and invite the Son of God in your life. A wise person will make this eternal decision.

God Bless you,
Bob D.