“God is love; he that dwells in (God’s) love dwells in God and God in Him …. Our love is made perfect by being on earth as He is in heaven” (1 Jn. 4:16,17). Bear with me as I take a Scriptural side trip. I recently watched a documentary on Catholicism in which it was brought out that Catholics believe that they own a piece of cloth on which the face of Jesus Christ is plainly printed. This is not the Shroud of Turin, but rather an extremely clear rendering of what millions believe is the face of Jesus Christ. I watched as a previous pope knelt before it and paid homage to it. It was pointed out by the narrator that Catholics are intent on “seeing the face of God.” This got me to thinking about the job all true saints have been assigned–WE ARE COMMANDED TO BE THE FACE OF GOD TO THE WORLD. WE ARE COMMANDED TO BE “ON EARTH AS HE IS IN HEAVEN.” What we think, what we say, what we do, what we wear, watch and read, where we go, the company we keep, how we use our leisure time, etc. tells the world that God is manifesting Himself in and through us. In order to be on earth as He is in heaven, WE MUST ALLOW GOD TO REPRODUCE HIMSELF IN US. God gave His only (at that time) begotten Son to enable true seekers of Truth the power to “walk as Jesus walked” while on earth (1 Jn. 2:6). This is not an option for salvation seekers. “The walk” is mandatory if the Word of God is to be manifested in us. If we are not the Word of God, exemplified by Jesus of Nazareth, manifested in human form, then we are not His children. This is a Truth one will not hear in church where one is told that he need only “show up, ‘fess up, pay up and get ready to go up.” The love God requires is not mentioned vocally or in writing. Why? Because it requires one to believe and obey the Law which, church people proclaim, was nailed to the cross.

In 1 Corinthians 13:1-8,13 the Apostle Paul told the church then and now that no matter how many virtues one exhibits, unless one has and exhibits the type of love God requires those virtues are exhibited in vain. The word “charity” means love. Verse two tells us what we are if we lack the love of God: NOTHING. What is missing in the life of a loveless parishioner is the passion for God that leads him to obey his Master. God imparts His love into the saint through His Holy Spirit which all true saints possess. The Spirit leads the saint to obey the Ten Commandments–all ten of them, including #4. Paul made this clear in Romans 13:8-10 where he summarizes the Ten Commandments in verse ten: “love is the fulfilling of the Law.” In 1 John 5:2,3; 2:5 the apostle tells us that we know we love God when we love Him and His children and keep (obey) His Commandments. “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.” “But whosoever keeps His Word, in him verily is the love of God perfected. Thereby we know that we are in Him.” Note that GOD USES THE WORDS “COMMANDMENTS,” “LAW” AND “WORD” INTERCHANGEABLY.” The Ten Commandments comprise a summary of the entire Bible which, you recall, the Lord wrote with His own finger in stone and hid it to keep man from changing it. Jesus declared that man must live be every one of God’s Words. L.J.