Wednesday, October 19, 2011

# 312: God’s Infinite and Holy Love Story

Before the beginning of any and all life and celestial objects, there was a dormant power that needed and did express itself. That power was Love. In order to express that Love, it needed intelligent entities to receive that unique Love. It was/is the most valuable and priceless “emotion” that would ever exist. At this point, Love had to give itself an identity. The only fitting title for this power was “Infinite Creator” of all that ever will exist.

That meant there was nothing Creator could not accomplish. Creating an endless physical universe filled with endless galaxies would fulfill Creator’s ultimate desire to propagate endless/eternal love. Clearly said, Creator desired/needed an infinite number of free-will, spiritual entities that would be recipients of that eternal, Holy Love.

Since time does not exist in this timeless realm, the word “hurry” did not exist. Creator formed a set of rules (the laws of physics) that could not be violated, to control physical matter.

There is no number that exists, not even quadrillion times quadrillion, to express the number of galaxies in our endless universe. The reason for such an enormous size of our universe is because size or number cannot contain Infinite Creator’s eternal Love.

All this and more—if it were possible—is the successful accomplishment satisfying the love nature that is available through the Creator. Everything that has life and intelligence, which can display love, exists or will exist for only one reason: for the eternal GLORY of Almighty Jehovah God (Creator’s rightful name), and to some degree, for those who choose to attach themselves to Almighty God.

Even though the above synopsis may not be complete in detail, that description is the best a human mind can envision of Almighty God and the origin of all that exists or will exist.

Now for the many whom, with their narrow minds, believe that planet earth is the only one of interest to God, just because other planets that could sustain intelligent life are not mentioned in Scripture…the most we can do for them is to pity them. Check out Ephesians 4:10. “He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.” Fill the universe with what, if not with intelligent beings? I am certain the apostle Paul was not even remotely aware of the seemingly endlessness of our universe, as we have come to know it with our powerful telescopes. Let me ask these narrow-minded people this pertinent question: If God was interested in creating life only on planet earth, what was the reason He created the vast universe? Just for the hell of it?! If you can’t give a legitimate answer to this basic question—except “it is not for us to know” is not a legitimate answer—then you have to attempt to concede as to what this post is teaching.

Bear in mind: The galaxies with solar systems whose environments are conducive to the existence of physical life are the only ones that are of interest to our loving Creator. Believe it or not, there is an infinite number of such planets.

In God’s creation process of life, all life has/was started at God’s silent command, and the result was a countless number of microscopic life that came into existence on planets that could sustain physical life, identical to the way He created the rest of the universe. Hebrews 11:3. “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” As that life grows, it/they will multiply in environments where time does not exist; it/they will go through countless positive changes as designed by Almighty God, until some form of constructive intelligence has developed.

Since God is the only one who has the ability to create life out of nothing—as we know nothing—Darwin was silent on that subject in his Theory of Evolution. In his theory, Darwin never once mentions or even gives a hint/hints about how the origin of life came to be. Acknowledging the existence of a God was not his forte, and would only undermine his complete theory.

Let me inject a few words to skeptics, atheists and even a few people who call themselves Christians, and then get back to the topic on hand. According to physicists, our laws of physics teach that nothing can create itself out of nothing, again, as we know nothing, and for no reason. Since that is the undeniable truth, physicists do not know how and where that small object came from that created/started the Big Bang; who made it, and for what reason? [Ask that question to the honored physicist, Stephen Hawking. He answered that question with this quote: “At that point, the laws of physics break down.”] If, by some rare chance, the Big Bang really took place, it was Almighty God who created it by the spiritual laws of creation He initiated at that point, and with a definite purpose: to eventually create physical/spiritual love beings.

Back to the reality of the physical world: At just the right time on each planet—even though it is incorrect to mention the word “time” since time does not exist in God’s realm—God will introduce himself to these intelligent beings, one at a time, as He did on planet earth to Abraham, in Genesis 17:5. “When Abram [Abraham] was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, ‘I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless.’”

Just because God is called “HE” in all Scripture (a male pronoun), that has nothing to do with gender. We will be like the angels. Matthew 22:30. “At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.” Also Revelation 22:8-9. “. . . I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. But he said to me, ‘Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!’”

Let me ask all the readers this silly question: Where did the angels in heaven come from? Answer: Spiritual logic says they came from other planets after being tested in a physical environment as we are being tested to make certain they/we are creatures of divine love. Since Scripture is silent as to where angels came from, and it doesn’t mention any female angels, there will be no gender/s; there is no need for either male nor female—which implies potential reproduction—we will all be alike in heaven.

Now getting back to the matter at hand: All that the New Testament teaches/commands can be understood in various ways, but if SELFLESS, divine love (not only words of divine love) for God/Jesus Christ and the needy—which is not the final product, but an ongoing product of one’s Christianity—that religion could be in question.

Now, the question comes up: how does one know with certainty that at death, he/she is going to heaven? Simply put, having Divine Love is the answer. The only criterion for entering the heavenly kingdom of God is to have the correct answer to this question: Did you and I, through our faith in Jesus Christ as Lord (boss) and Savior, love God and others as the New Testament commands? No ifs, ands, or buts! You see, having real faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior requires/is coupled with obedience to ALL He teaches. That, by all means, as I can attest to, is the most difficult undertaking in the entire world, since many of those teachings do not line up with what our sinful, selfish human nature strongly desires, and most often our human nature will not or cannot give in to obeying New Testament teachings.

Of all who claim to be Christians, a conservative guess would be that one in every thousand might qualify for eternal life. Matthew 22:14. “For many are invited, but few are chosen.” Even though this author believes that he will be going to heaven, he may be dead wrong. Why? Because sometimes I do not make every effort in doing things/obedience to all that the New Testament requires. Luke 13:24. “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.” There are more New Testament verses that require “making every effort,” which is required of all who claim to be disciples of Jesus Christ.

One of the strongest and most poignant words associated with divine/agape love is the word “holy.” Webster’s definition of holy is “spiritually perfect or pure.” As one studies the Word of God, “holy,” as it is portrayed in Scripture, agrees with Webster’s definition. For example: Hebrews 12:14. “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Also, 2nd Peter 3:14. “So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this (in previous verse, “a new heaven and a new earth”), make every effort to be found spotless, blameless [holy] and at peace with him.” There are many more verses that stress that holiness is a must in the lives of all people who claim to be disciple of Christ/Christians.

Verses like the above, make me a bit skeptical as to my eternal destiny. That is why I cannot say I am going to heaven in an emphatic manner. That also may be the reason why the word “holy,” concerning the holiness of the laity, is loosely or seldom mentioned from most pulpits. Preachers don’t want their parishioners to think that their Salvation may be in jeopardy. Fools!

In heaven we all will have a free will—something like we now have—of course, inspired by Divine love. And if on earth, one’s controlling and dominating purpose in life is having an active love for God and the needy—which is the result of having faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior, demonstrated by selfless love—they will/may qualify for eternal life.

I present many sections of the New Testament that will substantiate the unpopular above statement: Mark 12:28-31. “. . . ‘Of all the commandments, which is the most important?’ ‘The most important one,’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” The second is this: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no commandment greater than these.’”

Luke 10:25-28. “On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ ‘What is written in the Law?’ he replied. ‘How do you read it?’ He answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ‘You have answered correctly,’ Jesus replied. ‘DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE.’” The last section of this verse, with only five words, is the most “explained away” of all verses in the New Testament by most, if not all, of organized religion. (Emphasis added). Why is that? Please, I ask this question for your eternal well-being; take this verse to heart. In fact, this verse encompasses the complete New Testament; by making little of this verse or saying, “That is impossible,” the complete New Testament will be negated/compromised.

One thing that must be emphasized at this time is that self-generated selfless love is not the type that will give eternal life. Obedience to all Christ’s commands—like the above—and not just a verbal/mental affirmation of making Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, is absolutely necessary. Without obedience, God’s Love, Mercy, Grace, Salvation, etc. may be null and void; don’t let any preacher tell you otherwise.

Do you and I love God and neighbor in the above manner? I would like to say yes, but I have to be honest; at this time, chances are if you and I don’t continue to produce more needed fruit/works, we might just be fooling ourselves.

The only reason selfless Divine Love is the most important ingredient in the Christian life is because that Divine Love is the essence of living in an eternal environment where everything is centered around love.

Aside from being the most powerful ingredient in the universe, love is the only ingredient in the universe where the more one gives away, the more one has, especially when it is Divine Love. Someone might ask: How does one give love? This has a two-part answer: When one loves God with all their facilities by obedience to all that He commands, God reciprocates that love, making one more aware of how much God loves her/him, thus amplifying their love affair. So now, that person is the recipient of more love than he/she had before. As this love affair continues, this person is overwhelmed with God’s Love; now that person is more able to share that love with others. That is genuine Christianity in motion.

Sharing that love is done in various ways:

A) If one has a little extra savings, one can actively seek out those in real need and help them. But a word of caution: I am certain everyone in financial need would love to have some of your money. At this point, one has to take heed of Matthew 10:16. “Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” And Matthew 7:6. “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs.” We have to be extra certain that those who would accept our financial help are worthy of our help. What I mean is, do they smoke or drink? Are they on some kind of illegal drugs; do they waste their money on unnecessary habits, like going to movies and other entertainment outlets? This list could be endless. Most likely, some people will lie to you concerning their expenses. It would be a crime against those in real need not to thoroughly screen all potential recipients wanting your/God’s help/love. Also ask about their religious beliefs. And please don’t forget to reiterate that it is Jesus Christ doing the giving and we are only His ambassadors/helpers. For that reason, I don’t recommend helping anyone through any organization just for the sake of helping the needy, without Jesus Christ receiving all the credit firsthand.

B) Somehow, find those who are aware of their need to be in a good relationship with Jesus Christ. Go door-to-door, like the early Christians did in the book of Acts. Acts 5:42. “Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.” Also see Acts 20:20. “You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.” This is like searching for a needle in a haystack. Most people we confront are content wherever they are, be it religiously anemic, church-going, or atheist. This could be frustrating and discouraging, but still, it is necessary; even so, I am convinced that genuine, New Testament Christianity is not meant for modern Americans. They have genuine church-based Christianity where they hear what they want to hear and do what is pleasing, or they won’t be back. In other words, the majority of churches are well-planned, lucrative, con-artist-type operations. If you don’t believe it, read all the pertinent verses in the New Testament that you will never hear mentioned in churches, and if you did hear a few they would be watered-down to the point that their true meaning is obscured.

C) It may be hard for many to believe that it is poor Christians who are the most fortunate in God’s sight, since they have more reason to be looking for a better place to live. They may be poor for many reasons: it may have been their own fault, or it may not have been. Either way, they are blessed more than those who are not in need. Luke 6:20“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” If we know any such people, they are the ones we should help first. This does not mean we should forget the poor that are not Christians, as mentioned above, even though our generosity may be in vain if they don’t change and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. What I am saying is that our love and generosity are mainly to show the unsaved poor that we are also concerned with their spiritual welfare. That will be an excellent opportunity to show and tell them about the benefits of becoming a real Christian. If we really have God’s Love controlling our lives, this is the time to show the hurting world that genuine, active, Divine Love is the answer to all the world’s problems, especially in America. Even though loving the unlovely is the correct thing to do, it may not be an easy accomplishment.

In conclusion, in all we are inspired to say and do for Jesus Christ, Divine Love is the extreme motivator that keeps us going and doing what God’s Holy Love dictates. Get this: Whenever someone is seen loving/being generous to those who are worthy and in real need, you are witnessing, by proxy, God’s Holy Love story in action. Just remember: Holiness and Divine love cannot be separated; if they are, neither one is of any value to Almighty God.

All verses are taken from the 2011 “New International Version” of the Holy Bible