THOUGHT FOR THE DAY by Given O. Blakely ________________________________________ LOVING THE CHILDREN OF GOD Daily Thought #1 INTRODUCTION The love of the brethren can be approached from Mount Sinai or from Mount Zion; from law or from grace; from the standpoint of "works" or the standpoint of "faith." Our approach to the subject will determine the level of involvement on the part of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. The entire Godhead is involved in salvation--the thing that makes us "brethren." God has placed us "in Christ" (1 Cor 1:30). Christ dwells in our hearts by faith (Eph 3:16-17). The Holy Spirit is the Administrator of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:11). If we approach our love for one another as though it were a harsh and difficult commandment, we will not enjoy the blessing of the Lord. He no longer speaks from Mount Sinai, a place for alienated people. God has wrought a great salvation through Christ Jesus; a salvation that allows Him to speak to a reconciled people. This consideration must dominate our thinking as we approach this subject. We are called into a spiritual society God has set "the solitary in families" (Psa 68:6). In Christ, He takes people from the world, and places them in a new spiritual environment. The Word of God addresses this subject in Hebrews 12:22-24. The following are mentioned in this marvelous catalog of advantages: "the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem . . . the general assembly and church of the Firstborn, which are written in heaven . . . the spirits of just men made perfect." This is an environment of redeemed personalities. They are in harmony with "an innumerable company of angels," "God the Judge of all," and "Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant." They have all received: "the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel." The society into which we have come is an elevated one, having been raised and made to sit together in heavenly places (Eph 1:3; 2:6). Therefore, they are identified with "Mount Zion." Together, they comprise a city in which God is pleased to dwell. Therefore they are called "the city of the living God." Their appetite and demeanor have been adapted to heaven, and thus they are called "the heavenly Jerusalem." This is an assembly comprising diverse people, from every kindred, tongue, people, and nation. Therefore they are a "general assembly." This gathering has Jesus in common. They have been joined to Him, and follow Him wherever He goes. Therefore they are "the church of the Firstborn." They are all recognized in heaven, although rejected by earth. Thus it is said of them, "which are written in heaven." There are personalities in this assembly that have already finished the race that was set before them. They are "the spirits of just men made perfect." This society--a redeemed, exalted, society--is the object of "brotherly love." Everyone in Christ relates directly to these personalities by virtue of their union with Christ. No one outside Christ sustains the kind of relationship with them that we are addressing. What is more, this is the closest of all human bonds. There is no earthly relationship, however dear, that is in the same category as that of those in Christ Jesus. (More on this subject tomorrow) In joyful expectation of glory, Given O. Blakely