Love-the Bond of PerfectionSpeaker: Sis. Stella Dhinakaran Gist: Even in the midst of your deficiencies, if you give the primary importance to God and lead a prudent life, without murmuring then God will definitely fill you with 'Love', which is the bond of perfection. We have already absorbed the truth - 'God is love' (1John 4:16). On the other hand, He is capable of transforming us also like Him.
"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26)
The divine love and divine power of God will create the same good qualities in our hearts. Let me point out a beautiful verse from the Bible to you, read it and imbibe it: "Put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him" (Colossians 3:10). This verse says that God changes us into His own image. We cannot bring about this change, ourselves. When we decide, in terms of our flesh, to change into devout and loving persons, the devil prompts us to do just the contrary. But if we incline towards God, and pray intently and with a true heart, "My Father, transform me like You." His love and mercy will flow into you.
"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me." (John 15:4)
Recall the experience of Mary at the marriage in Cana of Galilee to which Jesus and His disciples had also been invited. There, when there was a shortage of wine, Mary was emphatic, realizing imaginatively, how the host would feel if the wine was not freely available to all guests; there arose in her mind a commiseration (pity), a love for her neighbour. There arose in her motherly mind a faith that her Son was capable of finding a solution. She said to Him, 'they have no wine.' Though Jesus initially retorted,' Woman, what does your concern to do with firm faith, told the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it." The first great miracle was manifested; water changed into sweet wine. Can you not comprehend the great love and compassion in that lady's mind?
Likewise, dear friend, God will definitely exhibit His grace by granting His true love to flood through your hearts in your Christ-bound family life. If you are genuinely filled with 'Mary's divine love' expressed towards your family members and our colleagues; if you have your minds overflowing with mercy, your life will be a great blessing to others. In such a circumstance, you will not cause any problem or discord in the family; instead, divine peace will cascade through the domestic set-up. If you analyze your family life, you can find out that the loveless character of the unsympathetic merciless attitude of one or tow members, is at the root of many problems, like wranglings and rift-based separations.
Friend even in these days, if you beg the Lord with tears He will effectively change your flawed tendencies and shower His unique love on you.
In a particular family, though the employed couple, man and wife earned a handful of high salary, in a few days after the beginning of the month, they faced on unseemly bitter situation-noisy arguments, altercations, and disputes! If relatives or servants of God visit the house, the lady would present a rough disposition, murmuring irritatedly within herself wishing, if they would not be off soon. There was no agreement of minds in the home. No unity. No peace. With this backdrop, one day when she attended a Good News Meeting, she discovered the glory of our Lord, without her own awareness. She realised her foibles and follies, asked for forgiveness from the Lord, and surrendered her life completely to God. Her mental traits changed; she was filled with the overflowing love of God. The first thing she did was to reserve one tenth of the salaries both of herself and her husband; she began to disburse it to the ministers of God liberally, to entertain them and to cheer them up. Great joy and jubilation came into her mind. She spent the rest of the money, economically and satisfyingly, avoiding all earthly pride and pompous expenditures. Early in the morning, she rose, sought God and submitted all her family affairs to Him (Proverbs 31:15). She showed her hospitality and divine love to all her relatives and visitors who came to her home. God watched this and saw that she had no deficiency, the whole of the month; He also raised their official positions, gave them faithful household servants and cheered them with His blessings suitable for this worldly life. All her people greeted her and praised her loving qualities.
"Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised" (Proverbs 31:30). As this praise-worthy woman entertained the servants of God whole-heartedly, He blessed her abundantly, according to His word: "Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." (Matthew 25:40)
My dear friend, even in the midst of your deficiencies, if you give the primary importance to God, and if you lead your life prudently and with the 'all sufficiency' of an unmurmuring, contented mind like the exemplary lady, God will definitely fill you with 'Love', which is the bond of perfection.
Prayer:
Loving Heavenly Father,
I praise You and honour You! I thank You for being with me always and loving me with Your eternal love! You are in control of all things and I thank You for that. Please forgive me for not believing in Your love, power and goodness. Many times I've been discouraged by my circumstances. Your are the God of all hope and I acknowledge that nothing is too difficult for You. I am confident that You will meet all my needs as I seek to live according to Your word! Thank You Lord for helping me get over my unbelief removing all my fears and anxieties! Let me not lose heart on seeing the circumstances Lord! Strengthen my faith through which alone I can receive miracles from You Lord. I love You and trust in Your awesome power! I know You are with me right now to take care of my needs and I thank You for that. In Jesus' name I pray.
Amen. |