Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible. (Ephesians 6:24 ESV)
Fear Not… Then Be Loved
Many years ago, we bought a pop-up camper. Our intentions were good, but we have not made use of it as we had hoped. But recently, we decided to clean it up, and do some camping!
When we popped it up, however, we found that the camper needed more than a cleaning. The canvas had become frayed, the plastic windows had become holey, and various animal visitors had done various animal damages.
The camper had been corrupted.
Most things in our lives become corrupted. Money declines in value, old gasoline becomes varnish, clothes become strangely too small, and even friendships and relationships tend to break down, if untended.
But the love connection between Jesus and His people is not only uncorrupted, it is incorruptible!
If we doubt that, if we are surprised by that, if we do not think we see that, it is usually because we forget what love really is, Biblically. The kind of ‘love’ we are used to is conditional. Usually more conditional than we like to admit. Movies and literature constantly hint that love is temporary, unsure, and fades. We think and act like love must be earned, deserved, or proven.
But that is not Jesus’ love. That love is unconditional, irrevocable, and incorruptible. He does not love us because of our thoughts, words, or deeds. He loves us because He loves us. And the love that we have for HIM, empowered as it is by HIS love, works the same way.
Campers decay, bank accounts deflate, and we get tired of our favorite television shows. But every time those things happen, every time those things make us afraid… remember Jesus incorruptible love.
Fear not… then be loved.