Dear Friends,

Love is a verb.  Love is not just an emotion, nor is it only an ideal.  It is a verb.  It has hands and feet, and it makes choices, and it takes action. 

 

God is love.  Jesus embodies the love of God.  He takes amazing action on behalf of His bride, His beloved.  Isn’t it amazing to be the beloved of the God of the Universe? 

I recently heard an analogy out of the book of Ruth.  In that story, Boaz is Ruth’s “kinsman-redeemer.”  The concept of a kinsman redeemer occurs in the Old Testament when there is a widow and / or land left behind when a man has died.  In that case, a near relative can basically purchase that land and / or the wife and care for them as though they were his own from the beginning.  The three conditions for someone to be a kinsman redeemer were:  they had to be a relative, they had to be able, and they had to be willing.

Jesus is our Redeemer and fulfilled all three of the conditions.  He became flesh so that He was, in a real sense, our “relative.”  He lived a sinless life and was, therefore, able to redeem us.  Finally, though, he took action on our behalf by being willing to face death on the cross and carry our sin on His shoulders.  His willingness to act on our behalf was the seal of His true love for us.

I challenge you today to two things:  First of all, consider the many ways that God’s love has been evident, actively, in your life. Secondly, consider whether your love for Him is a willing love that takes action when He compels you forward.  

I pray that you know the richness of a dynamic, loving relationship with your Savior, your Redeemer.

Blessings,

Ron