United Church of God

Personal From Ministerial and Member Services: April 20, 2022

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Personal From Ministerial and Member Services

April 20, 2022

Two weeks ago, just prior to the beginning of the Passover season, I wrote in this column about the strongest of all emotions, love. God is called “love” by the apostle John (1 John 4:8,16), who has been referred to as the “apostle of love” and the one who, apparently, Jesus loved in a very special way; at least John seemed to think so and this seems borne out by entrusting His mother, Mary, to John’s care (John 19:26).

But, it was this same apostle, John, who wrote, “If we love God, we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” (1 John 3:22; 5:2-3).

It is both love and law that define the meaning of the Passover season for us as true followers and disciples of Jesus Christ.

We put the leaven out of our homes and “quarters” because we are commanded to do so by God and we also did it because we love God and His ways and we want to honor Him by our obedience. We have all tried to keep leaven out of our lives during these days and we have all tried to eat unleavened bread throughout these days. Why? Again, out of law and love, as obedient and loving children.

It is our sin that caused the death of our Savior and it is sin that causes our deaths as human beings—for the wages of sin is death and we have all sinned and continue to sin. But the gift of God is eternal life through the perfect, sinless Jesus Christ who died for our sins (Romans 6:23).

It is also the apostle John who was given the revelation by God and Christ that concludes our Bibles. The Book of Revelation speaks several times of the importance of overcoming, and the blessings that will be ours because of our faithfulness to obey and to overcome sin and put it out of our lives now (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21; 21:7).

Barbara and I will be headed to Michigan tomorrow to spend some time with our brethren in the Ann Arbor, Detroit and Flint congregations on the Last Day of Unleavened Bread. We also look forward to seeing our pastor and his family there (Mike, Laura and Kelsey Phelps), and the other elders and wives who so faithfully serve in Southeast Michigan.

Let us continue to observe and to rejoice in these very precious Holy Days. Let us continue to learn the lessons God wants us to learn about His love and His law, and about eternal salvation through the sacrifice of God the Father and Jesus Christ on our behalf!