Affections

The next word in the book that my daughter-in-law gave me is affections. Now when we think of affections we think of course about our love and caring for others. This is not a Christian monopoly. Every person in the world loves and cares for someone else, sinner or Christian. In fact that's just what this verse in Matthew tells us. Matthew 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
In simpler language =If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
All the things that I have ever done for anyone is nothing and never will be anything on this earth. You can't do good things to get God to love you anymore than he already does. You can't buy God's love, nor can you buy redemption by good deeds. Although many Christians believe that their good deeds make them a better Christian, they are fooling themselves, for surely they are not fooling God. And affections is not the act of doing any good deed. Affections is God-given and is imprinted in our genes from birth. It's as natural as breathing. So what is God-given affections, and what is the first priority? In Deuteronomy 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. We are taught not only should we love God above all others. We are taught to what degree we should love God in Deuteronomy 6:5 and also in Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. So now we know full well our first love is God. So how are we to love all the rest? Romans 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.12:10Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;12:11Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;12:12Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;12:13Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.12:14Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.12:15Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.12:17
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 12:19
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.12:20Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
I know that this was long, but I wanted to get all these verses in to just show that even as Christians we are not living up to what God wants us to be in our Christian affections.
Comments are always welcome.
Until next time, Willard and I both wish you health and happiness, God bless and God save.