1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

“Attempting Righteousness without Love”

When I was a pastor, I preached forty-seven years the Love of God, and I would do it all over again. “God is Love,” and he highlighted that truth with John 3:16. Some have questioned along the way how we can preach Love all the time when we need to be preaching the righteousness of God?” I find no difference in the two.

What we learn from the Gospel is that Jesus showed us that righteousness must be born out of love. He never demanded it, but he created a hunger and thirst for it. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

Any attempt at righteousness without love tends to make us judgmental and powerless to help others find peace and happiness with God. After all, how can we help someone find what we have not found? The only way to preach Love is to live what we preach.

There is nothing I want more in ministry than to help people to love God and neighbor. All the laws of righteousness hang on those two things.

We are all sinners and to deny it is to discredit God’s Word. Our God is faithful and just. He is ready to forgive and cleanse anyone of anything if we will only trust his Love.

The words of the hymn are my confession: “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love.” I have felt that way all of my walk with God, but praise the Lord, that I can also sing another hymn: “Oh love that will not let me go…Oh joy that seekest me through pain, I cannot close my heart to thee…”

I have witnessed over and over again what the Love of God can do in people’s lives. It truly is Good News. Yes, I would do it all over again without hesitation.

“O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints’ and angels’ song”

Grace and Peace, Rev Ray

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAOeoAUEkUI