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We can get to heaven because of love of Christ
pastor corner

Do you understand that Jesus loves you? Yes, you are important to God.

Most likely you have sung the song “Jesus Loves Me”, but have you ever taken it to heart that He loves you personally. Not only does He love you, but God also loves you. John wrote, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV).

God’s love is deeper than any other love known to man.

When someone genuinely loves another, they are willing to do things for that person. Jesus has done something for man. Paul wrote, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, be-ing in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:5—11). Imagine the Godhead thinks enough of man to send Jesus to die for mankind. Some do not understand that while Jesus is part of the Godhead, He became flesh and blood so He suf-fered just like any man suffers.

Have you ever thought about what Jesus gave up because He loved you?

Just think He had equality with God but humbled himself and became a servant so that you could have salvation.

Robert Coleman In his book Written in Blood tells the story of a little boy whose sister needed a blood transfusion. The doctor had explained that she had the same disease the boy had recovered from two years earlier.

Her only chance for recovery was a transfusion from someone who had previously conquered the disease.

Since the two children had the same rare blood type, the boy was the ideal donor.

“Would you give your blood to Mary?” the doctor asked. Johnny hesitated. His lower lip started to tremble. Then he smiled and said, “Sure, for my sister.” Soon the two children were wheeled into the hospital room-Mary, pale and thin; Johnny, robust and healthy. Neither spoke, but when their met, Johnny grinned. As the nurse inserted the needle into his arm, Johnny’s smile faded. He watched the blood flow through the tube. With the ordeal almost over, his voice slightly shaky, broke the silence.

“Doctor, when do I die?” Only then did the doctor realize why Johnny had hesitated, why his lip had trembled when he’d agreed to donate his blood.

He’d thought giving his blood to his sister meant giving up his life. In that brief moment, he’d made his great decision. Johnny, fortunately, did not have to die to save his sister. Each of us, however, has a condition more serious than Mary’s, and it required Jesus to give not just his blood, but his life.

Thomas Lindberg, Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Leadership, Vol. 5, no. 1.

This story about two children touches the heart of most, but the truth of Jesus dying for man should touch the hearts of all.

God’s love is given freely to mankind, but man must take advantage of the gift given to him. If we partake of the gift, we can go to heaven. We must obey God and not man.

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