"In Our Image" of Love 8-30-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- Lord, I want to know You more in every facet, dimension, and person of Your Being. ... "The God said, 'Let Us make humankind in Our image, according to Our likeness ....' So God created humankind in His image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them" (Genesis 1:26-27). For thousands of years, we have tried to grasp the concept of Your nature as one God, revealed in three persons. We've pondered the mystery and wandered through history trying to receive this truth by faith and trying to make sense of it at the same time. There is a oneness in the diversity and a diversity in the oneness of Your being. There is perfect unity, not uniformity. And not one facet, not one dimension, not one person of Your being reveals the fullness of Your essence and nature. As You have progressively revealed Yourself to us through Your Word and the experience of Your people, even the first chapter of the Old Testament contains these seeds of truth of Your multi-faceted, multi-dimensional nature. You are not many Gods, You are One God with much depth to the essence of Your personhood and nature. Part of what this means to me is that at the very core of Your essence, You are a relational God. "God is love" (1 John 4:8). That's not just one of Your attributes or just something You do. That's the core of Who You are. And love is relational. You cannot truly love without relationship. So, I suppose, You cannot truly be God Who is Love without existing in a perfect relationship of love. And being perfect Love, You created us for a relationship of love with You. You created us in Your image, in Your nature, in the image and nature of love. That's must be why loving You and loving one another is at the heart of You calls to do and all You call us to be (Matthew 22:36-40). Love is at the heart of Your revelation of Your nature to us, and love is to be at heart of our understanding of ourselves. When You bring us in to union with You in every dimension of Your being -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- is at the heart of that union. "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. And I will ask the Father and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of Truth.... He abides with you and He will be in you.... On that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.... and those who love Me will be love by My Father, and I will love them and reveal Myself to them" (John 14:15-21). As we become "completely one" in the unity of the bond of Your love with You and with one another, You display the glory of Your nature to all the world through Your creation (John 17:20-26). Lord, let it be so. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502