"Witness of Love"

 "I receive not honour from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you." (John 5:41-42 KJV)

  "Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had." (Philippians 2:1-5 NLT) 

 Taking a look at the actions of these Jewish leaders, having judged both the healed man with the mat, as well as the Lord Jesus, who actually healed him; these men not only did not have God's love in their hearts, but they were actually wanting to kill Jesus; or should we say, have Jesus killed! Is there anything different between those that kill and those that wish someone to be killed? 

 As it turns out, Jesus opens up the hearts of these men, by first showing them the door; the same door that was shown to Cain, as God said, ""Why are you so angry?" the LORD asked Cain. "Why so you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master."" (Genesis 4:6-7 NLT) 

 If you take a moment and think about what might be happening, there are three very distinct reasons that Jesus makes the opening of His assessment of their hearts, saying, "I receive not honour from men." The most important reason, is that the Father's honor is enough to seal the need for honor; if the Father honors the Son, that is sufficient. Secondly, man's heart is wicked, as the Scripture clearly says; in that man's ability to honor anyone, is based upon what might be gained, in the giving of honor. 

 Thirdly, the door, that we might call sin; the sin of hate and murder! Crazy as it might seem, but our hearts can turn on a moments notice; one minute you are honoring someone with praise and respect; the next, you could be cursing them and wishing them dead. This is not based upon anything else but what your heart feels, whether it is offended, just feeling used, or being mistreated. 

 In the case of Cain, his was that of rejection; which pretty much is encompassing all three of the reasons for hating his brother. He was offended because his offering was not received as well as Abel's; he was feeling used, as if God was making an example of him not doing right; and he thought he was being mistreated, because what he did felt good in his own heart. 

 This goes right back to the issue of where honor comes from: God! If we are looking for and longing for God's honor, then it will depend upon us looking for and longing to please God! Above all else, it is the most important thing which should be at the forefront of our minds, and it needs to be that which is written upon our hearts. If we want to really have the love of God living in us, then love pleasing God...

"Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too. We know we love God's children if we love God and obey his commandments. Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God." (1 John 5:1-5 NLT)