John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”
     Jesus is the Door and the good Shepherd in Jesus’ parable. He’s a good shepherd because He will do whatever it costs to save His sheep—even to laying down His life. He is prophesying what He will do to save us and give us abundant life. God’s love: the sustained direction of the will (He lays) toward the highest good (salvation) of others (the sheep) no matter what the cost (His life). What a good shepherd we have!  We are His sheep. We are saved!  We are loved! Jesus, You are good indeed!

Live to Love Scripture Encouragements

Live to Love Scripture Encouragement John 10.11

1 John 2:11 But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
My guess is that most of us have tripped over something in the dark. That’s the scene John painted in this verse as he described those who have hatred in their hearts for a brother or sister. When someone walks in darkness, he can’t see where he’s going—namely, to Judgment Day when he will give an account of his life to Jesus. John said he’s not only walking in the darkness, he is in the darkness. 
Jesus described the person who walks in darkness as someone who also has the darkness in them. “But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” (Matt. 6:23). When we live for self, we are consumed with the darkness of unbelief—the lack of faith in God. That inner darkness is revealed on the outside by a hatred for one’s brother or sister. Jesus taught that those who live in the inner darkness will eventually be thrown into the outer darkness (Matt. 8:12; 22:13; 25:30). 
Presently, we who live to love with Jesus as walking in the Light because we have the Light of His life dwelling within. With Jesus, we are the outer light to those who are in the darkness and therefore walk in darkness. As long as the darkness in them is the “light” or the guide to how they live, they cannot see His love revealed in Christ or in us. However, at any point, God can open the eyes of their hearts to see His light. There is still hope for them as long as the outer light shines. We pray for God to open their eyes to the Light of His love in Christ and in us as we live to love them with Jesus.

The one who hates is in darkness

Hebrews 8:6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.
But now, now that Jesus has risen from the dead, ascended into heaven with gifts and sacrifices to offer to God in the heavenlies, and sat down at God’s right hand, He inaugurated a new and better relationship with God. Jesus’ ministry is more excellent than the ministry of the earthly high priests because He mediates a better covenant between God and man. This new covenant is based on better promises than the promises contained in the Law. When we stop to think about this, we should be greatly encouraged. 
First, we are encouraged that we don’t have to go to a physical place to worship God. We are free to worship God anywhere at anytime. That’s better! Second, our relationship with God isn’t mediated by another sinner like us. That’s destined to fail and can give no confidence. Jesus is now our mediator, and He is perfect, appointed by God forever to represent us in God’s presence. That’s better! Third, we are encouraged that the covenant we have with God isn’t based on our performance as a part of the covenant. The new covenant rests 100% on Jesus’ righteousness. That’s better! Fourth, what an encouragement that the promise of life is ours on the basis of faith given to us by God as a gift rather than based on our ability to keep God’s law. That’s better!
Therefore, we have a better hope that when we draw near to God for help to live in such a way as to glorify God and bring Him joy, we will receive the grace we need. My friends, we live to love with Jesus. He has a more excellent ministry to us than any other religion offers its worshippers. We can be confident that He will minister to us, for us, and through us as we draw near to Him for help to love those God puts in our paths today.

Better ministry, better covenant, better promises

This is the monthly blog by Norm Wakefield from www.livetolovewithjesus.com. To love like Jesus loves, one must believe and think the way Jesus believed and thought. This month, Norm, unpacks the first of three foundational truths that Jesus believed that are the bedrock of loving with Him.

Better ministry, better covenant, better promises

Norm Wakefield

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