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Hebrews 12:2-3 New International Version (NIV)
2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
I want us to take this time to think about the Lord, what he is like?
Paul cried out 'o that I may know him' and for many of us as believers we want to know more of what God is like and understand his ways with us.
the call to fix our eyes and consider him had already been called for in Hebrews,
3:1 Therefore, holy brothers and sisters,who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.
How often do we think about Jesus, how do we do it? we can certainly read the gospels, consider what and how he said and did things, is he the same now? When we think of this week we think of Ascension, of Jesus being exalted to the Right hand of the Father, from there he sends the Holy Spirit who comes to reveal the life of Christ to us.
I believe the fruit of the Spirit, namely, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, are a great way of considering the character of God.
We see these attributes being worked into the children of God because they are the character of our loving Father and our Lord Jesus themselves. We will start with love.
God is Love, agape love, unselfish and self-giving, he gives of himself to others.
We describe aspects of his love with such words as mercy, grace, compassion.
We ultimately see love in the action of His sacrifice for us on the Cross. God is moved to act for us when he sees us in our sin. Made in his image but lost and marred, yet still loved.
Can we rest in the love that God has for us today?
How much of the fruit of God's love is seen in our lives towards others?
John sums it up: 1 John 4:10 New International Version (NIV)
10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.