The love of God has been the origin of everything good from the creation of the heavens and earth to this very day. God has chosen to love us and give Himself to us and be a father for us. That has a very clear understanding to us today.

If a man adopts, it is his decision to raise, guide, protect, support, cloth, feed, and house that child. Even more, an adopting father will have a close relationship with his child and. give things that are undeserved and may hold back  punishments that are deserved. This father forgives when offended and recognizes needs before his child does and moves to meet those needs. This was the choice he made the day he decided to adopt this precious child.

God made all these commitments when he made us his children by the miracle of the new birth. It was a decision of the will just as much as an adopting father; but He made us children by birth and extended to us an inheritance that would only be available to "blood kin" as we used to say back home. When you look
at what God had to give to make this happen, the life of His only begotten Son, it becomes even more incredible. All this He did because of His love.

It is therefore primary for us to grasp this love and to understand it by experience. Living the Word of God day-by-day will help us mature as loving Christian believers. One time a lawyer asked Jesus what was the most important law.

Master, which /'s the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second /'s like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. [Emphasis added] Matthew 22:36-40

Jesus said that these were the greatest commandments; he also said all the rest of the Word of God hangs on these two. To "hang" means to be supported like a flag is supported by its staff. When a flag is being held outright you can see the beauty of its colors and words and see the meaning of its symbols.  When I see our flag in all its glory, I can see the 50 stars and 13 strips that explain our origin and present union. Each color has its meaning, and taken as a whole speaks of liberty and justice.

If the person holding the flag removes the staff, the flag falls to the floor and it becomes an unrecognizable pile of cloth. When we attempt to teach the Word of God without first understanding that we should love God with everything we are and our neighbors like we do ourselves (what's best for them) we fail to understand His Word. We will end up making laws and traditions of men that enslave God's family. Love gives support, meaning and understanding to all of God's Word. Let's continue to seek love in all we do.

God bless and love always,

Charlie Quillen