No Greater Love

Dear Partner, Family and Friends,

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.  - John 15:13

Recently, we celebrated Jewish Passover, our Easter.  Now, this weekend we remember the ANZACs and those that have given their lives for their countries to purchase freedom and liberty that we have all come to enjoy.  

As I reflect on these special days and the memorial services that are held in honour of those that have given their lives for us, I am reminded of the above scripture.  No greater love can anyone have than to give up their life for their friends, family and country.  It is the ultimate sacrifice.  

In the ultimate act of love, two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ went to the cross to die for us.  The bible says in Romans 5:6-10, "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

When one gives up their life so that another can be spared, have life and freedom, it is an ultimate demonstration of sacrificial love.  We were not God's friends; we were sinners, rebels, enemies of God, holiness and righteousness.  Yet God loved us so much that He sent His one and only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die on the cross in our place, paying the price for our transgressions, sins and crimes.  Through Christ, we have forgiveness, we have healing and we have life and hope.  

This weekend, we in Australia remember the ANZACs and other soldiers that have gone to war to purchase liberty, peace and freedom that we have come to enjoy in our countries today.  As we remember the ANZACs, let us have a heart filled with gratitude.  Let us all pray for an end to all wars, conflicts and let us believe for peace on earth and goodwill towards all people.  Let us remember the teachings of Jesus, to love God with all our heart and to love each other as we love ourselves.  Let us learn to forgive and forget all and any wrongs that have been done towards us, even as God forgives us of our wrongdoings and forgets our sins, as we seek His love and forgiveness in Christ.  

Let us have a huge heart of gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy in our democracies today.  These freedoms have come to us through an unspeakable and immeasurable price, as others have served their nations, their people and their countries.  I am not against vaccines or any forms of medications that have come to us, through scientific breakthrough to eradicate disease.  We live in a wonderful time and a blessed time in history.  But because we have the right to voice our opinion, vote and express freedom of speech, let us not be too quick to give up those freedoms that we enjoy today, that have been purchased at a great price. 

I believe individuals should have the free right to choose how they live because this was given to them by God.  Let us not be too quick to say yes to passport vaccines, which could come with all kinds of possible breaches of our liberty and freedoms, possibly discriminating against individuals, who, through no fault of their own, are unable to receive a vaccine due to other existing medical conditions or because they want to follow their own conscience.

Let us keep believing God that we all continue to have the right to choose and enjoy the values and the freedoms that we have all come to know and respect.  Let us also continue to pray that sickness and disease is destroyed and that we live healthy and long lives.  This is what Jesus paid for with His life and blood at the cross of Calvary.

This weekend where possible, attend a memorial service or light a candle in remembrance of those who have given their lives, so that we might live free.

Lest we forget.

God bless and much love,

Ps. Shaun Marler

Apostle World Harvest Ministries

Please share this update with anyone you believe would be blessed by it. 
Tell others about our ministry and help us to connect with your friends and family.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

“I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am only moved by what I believe.” Smith Wigglesworth.

Honour your man of God

THE LAW OF REPETITION