9 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot[a] love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother. John 4:9
I was thinking what a contrast there is between what the world stamdard is for us and God's standard. One word comes to mind that describes the world standard: selfishness. Before Eve plucked the apple from the tree of knowledge in the garden of eden Adam and Eve were experiencing God's perfect love. The moment Adam and Eve took a bite from that apple their relationship with God shattered and from that moment on mankind thought only of their selfish needs. Bloodshed followed as sin permeated and festered through the ages with grief and sorrow following. Mankind thinks only of themselves. How much money, how many titles I can earn right down to how big of a house can I build to store my treasures.
In Greek mythology, Narcissus (/nɑrˈsɪsəs/; Greek: Νάρκισσος, Narkissos) was a Hunter from Thespiae in Boeotia who was known for his beauty. He was the son of the river god Cephissus and nymph Liriope.[1] He was proud, in that he disdained those who loved him.Nemesis noticed this behavior and attracted Narcissus to a pool, where he saw his own reflection in the water and fell in love with it, not realizing it was merely an image. Unable to leave the beauty of his reflection, Narcissus drowned. Narcissus is the origin of the termnarcissism, a fixation with oneself and one's physical appearance.
When we decide to make a decision for Jesus Christ who became God's perfect sacrifice and sin bearer we are making a decision to lay down our 'self'. We are saying 'here I am' Lord make me into the image of Jesus and use me for the outpouring of your love. When we receive Jesus as our Savior we become God's conduit for his outpouring of his perfect love. No longer do we fixate on our selfish needs we look outward at the needs of others.
No matter what happens in this life, be it the death of a child, loss of a job, serious disability onset God is there to make beautiful ashes out of your suffering because out of that suffering he will give you ways to show love to a fallen world that is still hanging onto 'self'.
In an article by Christianity Today a group of medical researchers reported the following as a side benefit of having religion in their lives:
1. Those who believe in God may actually add 14 years onto their lives.Those who have faith carry positive health benefits such as coping with illness, faster recovery, as well as protection from future illnesses.
2.In one study that involved 20,000 adults shows that income and education had little impact on longevity, but those who went to church regularely had 7 years added to their life expectancy with that life expectancy doubling for most African Americans.
3. People who struggle with mental health issues also proved to cope better when religion was involved.
4.One study even found that religious attendance was associated with a more than 90 percent reduction in meningococcal disease (meningitis and septicemia), in teenagers, a protection at least as good as meningococcal vaccination. Furthermore, religious involvement has been associated with improved adherence to medication.”
5.In one robust study of people living with HIV, those who grew in appreciation of spirituality or religious coping after diagnosis suffered significantly less decline in their CD4 counts and slower disease progression over a four year follow-up.
6.Believers have higher self-esteem, adapt better to bereavement, feel less lonely and are less likely to suffer from depression. Those who do suffer depression tend to make a faster recovery from depression.
8.They are also less likely to get involved in delinquency and criminal activity and tend to enjoy greater marital stability and satisfaction .
The article goes on and states that Christians should not promote health benefits as the primary reason for coming to faith in Christ. Jesus came into the world to work a far deeper transformation in human lives than simply curing disease. http://www.christiantoday.com/article/believing.in.god.is.good.for.your.health/27902.htm
I can testify on these health benefits when that first Sunday following our loss I shared with my son why it is important to keep putting one foot forward and going to church: so that we can be encouraged by our fellow believers. At the time I didn't realize that the added benefit of regular church attendance would translate to better bereavement.
So there is beauty in our ashes. As we travel the forlorn journey of grief while honoring God he will give us a desire to pour out our love to others who know no such love. While we are doing so I think most of us will discover amazing health benefits flowing out of our relationship with Him. God is truly amazing and he desires us to know that perfect love.
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