Thought for the Month

"Beloved! we should love each other; because love is from God; and every one who loves has been begotten by God and knows God.He who does not love, does not know God; because God is love. By this the love of God to us was manifested, that God sent forth His only‑begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that He loved us, and sent forth His Son as a propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4:7‑10 Diaglott)

God demonstrated his love to us in sending his son Jesus into the world to be a ransom, a corresponding price for the sin of Adam and therefore the whole human race. Jesus, of his own freewill paid that ransom‑price by his death on the cross nearly two thousand years ago and it remains as effective as ever. In so doing also showing divine economy "for as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." (Rom.5:19)

Christians now knowing the love of God to them, reciprocate and endeavour to grow closer to him and understand His ways, His Plans and His purposes and can now spend time developing divine characteristics such as love through his spirit given to them.

Jesus, having paid this ransom for all, in due time the restitution of all things will begin. This was pictured by the Jubilee in the Mosaic law. (Lev.25:8‑17) It was not the sort of modern Jubilee like there was for The Queen with her silver, golden, and diamond Jubilees or the upcoming platinum Jubilee in February. The Jubilee meant all lands had to be restored to their original owners and all sold to be servants and slaves received their freedom back. Sadly, this was never fully implemented and many failed to get back their land and lives. (Amos 2:6‑7; Mic.2:2) Yet the principle remains. The word of God promises that it will be and God cannot lie.

A balancing up of the scales is shown at the end of Isaiah 19. Old enemies like Assyria, Egypt and Israel will be in harmony with God and each other. Assyria in many ways representing all countries to the north of Israel, and Egypt all nations to the south of Israel. One imagines at that time there will not be the large inequalities between nations as we see today. And the striving there has been to grow economies around the world, that appears to be leaving such a mark upon the climate, will cease to be seen and competition with stronger countries dominating other countries would cease too.

"Perfect love casts out fear." (1 John 4:18 NKJV) Understanding the love of God should take away some of the fear and dread any may have of the plan of God.