Fri. Nov 8th, 2024
The birth of Jesus brought the love of God on earth.

The word “love” is a commonly used word in our language. We love pizza and chocolate, shopping and hunting, our spouse or significant other, and our children. However, love at its best is the height of human affection and loyalty. In New Testament Scripture, the word used to describe the divine love of God is agape—a selfless love, which gives and sacrifices expecting nothing in return, an unconditional love that has the best interest of the recipient at heart. One might say it’s an “unreasonable love.” 

In one of the most intimate writings in Scripture, John uses tender terminology such as “dear children” and “dear friends” as if he is writing a family letter from the heavenly Father to His “little children.” He essentially looks at the evidence and gives clear proof of the incarnation of the Son of God—Jesus Christ. 

Based upon this extravagant demonstration of divine love, John challenges us to love one another with these words:

“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:9–11).

When you pause to think about it, the Incarnation narrative (Matt. 1:18–25) is one of the most unreasonable love stories in all of Scripture. Webster defines “unreasonable” as “not governed by or acting according to reason … absurd.” How absurd that God would send His Son to be our Savior—one who shares the nature of the Father—God manifested in human flesh! “For in Christ all the fullness of deity lives in bodily form” (Col. 2:9).

Consider how unreasonable it was for God to ask a young, virgin handmaiden, engaged to be married to a righteous man, to conceive an unplanned pregnancy then endure the shame and risk that would involve. How ridiculous that Joseph would be requested to follow through with his wedding plans with Mary and accept the responsibility for her “illegitimate” child! Unreasonable! Yet what would our world be like if they had chosen otherwise?

We tend to divorce ourselves from certain accounts in God’s Word. This occurred more than 2,000 years ago to some people in Israel. It is an interesting story, but nothing like that would ever happen today. No, we will never have another virgin birth. Jesus Christ is the one and only Savior of the world. Yet, all of us  have experienced disappointment, loss, or overwhelming needs. Sometimes entire communities and population segments have been ignored and marginalized. 

Who are we in their story? What could be asked of us as recipients of God’s unreasonable love? Could He be challenging us to respond with unreasonable love for those the world might deem unlovable?

Why not consider the following as this year ends and we face new opportunities in 2015:

  • Place yourself in Joseph’s and Mary’s story and ask, “What have I recently done for God that seemed totally unreasonable to my world?
  • Ask God to birth afresh in you His love that compels you to see neglected and hurting people through the lens of the gospel, so that you and your church can begin to address their needs through word and deed (Matt. 25:31–40).
  • Pray, asking the Holy Spirit to strengthen your faith walk with Christ, so that you may be used to impact those in your sphere of influence to come together in unified strategies and unreasonable love, accompanied by practical actions that will transform your entire neighborhood, community, and city.

Kay Horner is the executive director of the Awakening America Alliance.

Related Post

Leave a Reply

Related Podcasts

More News
When Was Hell Prepared?
When Was Hell Prepared?
What Is Spiritual Warfare?
What Is Spiritual Warfare?
The Greatest Spiritual War for the Future Is the Past, Present and Future
The Greatest Spiritual War for the Future Is the Past, Present and Future
Tucker Carlson Shares His Testimony: ‘I Was Mauled by a Demon’
Tucker Carlson Shares His Testimony: ‘I Was Mauled by a Demon’
Mike Signorelli Talks Demonic Possession, Oppression and Generational Curses
Mike Signorelli Talks Demonic Possession, Oppression and Generational Curses
A Night of Unity at Christ Church: Arabs and Jews Worship Jesus Together in Jerusalem
A Night of Unity at Christ Church: Arabs and Jews Worship Jesus Together in Jerusalem
Amanda Grace, Faith Leaders Host Prayer Night for the Trump Family
Amanda Grace, Faith Leaders Host Prayer Night for the Trump Family
Is Fear Stopping You from Fulfilling God’s Purpose in Your Life?
Is Fear Stopping You from Fulfilling God’s Purpose in Your Life?
Isaiah Saldivar’s Remarkable Message: ‘I Hear Chains Breaking’
Isaiah Saldivar’s Remarkable Message: ‘I Hear Chains Breaking’
Greg Locke: How Biblical Generosity Transforms Lives
Greg Locke: How Biblical Generosity Transforms Lives
previous arrow
next arrow
Shadow

Latest Videos
74.6K Subscribers
971 Videos
7.3M Views

Copy link