EASTER LESSON 2
LOVE PROMPTED THE EVENT
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
It is common knowledge that when Adam and Eve, the first couple on earth chose to disobey their Creator and obeyed the devil, right from that moment sin entered into the world. And consequently, every other person that was born afterwards automatically inherited a sinful nature. Hence, the Bible says that all have sin and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23). Verse 12 of Romans chapter 5 says “Therefore just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and this way death came to all men, because all sinned”. In verse 19 we read, “For just as through the disobedience of the one man many were made sinners… ”
The above Scriptures show that all men, everyone born into the world are by nature sinners. And the Scripture says that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). So everyone of us were supposed to die as a penalty for our sin. But because God is a loving Father who does not take pleasure in the death of a sinner, a God who hates to see the works of his hand destroyed, out of love provided a way of escape for us to be acquitted from sin’s penalty. His love for us constrained him to provide a solution, a scape goat for the sin of the whole world in the person of His only begotten Son (John 3:16). Can you shout a loud hallelujah to that!
The Bible says that while we were still sinners, not while we were good people, but while we were children of disobedience, rebels, lawbreakers, Christ died for us. Oh what an unconditional love! 1John 3:1 says “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God… ” (KJV). God’s love for us afforded us the privilege to become his children. That calls for an unreserved and wholehearted appreciation.
Beloved, having seen that we were supposed to have died as a result of inherited sin from our first parents, but God’s love redeemed us so that rather than die and go to hell, we should have everlasting life, what should be our response?
There’s a popular saying that respect is reciprocal. Love also is reciprocal. As such what is expected of us in appreciation for God’s love that brought us salvation through Jesus is to love him in return. And in loving him, we’ll obey him. Whatever he tells us to do, we’ll do, and vice versa. That’s how to prove to Him that we value what he did for us by taking our place hanging on that humiliating cross over two thousand years ago. Jesus Christ says “If you love me, keep my commandment” (John 14:15).In other words, he is saying if you claim to love me, obey me.
So, this is the lesson for this sacrificial price for redemption: We are to reciprocate his love for us. The evidence of our loving him is living in obedience to him. If we say that we love him (as some do) and yet live contrary to his commandment, we lie, and we deceive ourselves. You may be surprised to know that Jesus has only one commandment. And do you know his commandment?
“This is my commandment, That you love one another, as I have loved you” ( John 15:12). Look also at Matthew 22:37-40)
Beloved, just in case as you read this message, you know that you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus, it means you are treating God’s love with scorn and levity. To be frank with you, God is not pleased about that. And without having an intimate relationship with Jesus, there’s no how you’ll be able to keep his commandment; you won’t be able to obey him. You need Jesus in your life. That’s how to prove your love to him for first loving you and made a way for you to be saved. Please do that now. Open your heart to Jesus. You’ll be fine with that decision, I can assure you.
God bless you.
Maranatha!
Rev Akaninyene Akpan, Founder of Faith Activation Ministry is based in Lagos. His Ministry is in partnership with the ministry of the Word.