We are living in the so- called "information" age. Knowledge is constantly increasing and being made available to all of us. Some of us may be addicted to the pursuit of knowledge, particularly on the internet.

Being able to read with understanding is the key to much of our learning. Some of us read slowly, others more rapidly. This ability to read opens many doors. Yet, some folks still don't get it; they won't put in the effort to learn the mechanics of reading. I once volunteered to teach a middle- aged man to read the Bible. He failed to give his total effort and soon quit.

Many people pursue knowledge about various and complex subjects, yet they may have very little interest in and know very little about spiritual life and God. The Bible is our main source of knowledge about real spirituality and the true God who has revealed Himself.

God has revealed Himself to us in His Son Jesus Christ. Our Bible contains the details of Christ Jesus and how He has made known the heavenly Father by His earthly life. God had given prophetic messages throughout the Old Testament. One example is Isaiah, chapter eleven, wherein we read:"...for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." The offspring of king David, Jesus Christ, will come and bring the knowledge of God the Father to the earth.

We think of knowledge as information, but in the Bible it is much more than information; there it is experiential and personal. It is tasting, feeling, thinking, enjoying the spiritual qualities of God through Christ's love and fellowship.

In His life Jesus told stories, parables and taught lessons which revealed spiritual truths, as never known or acknowledged before by many people, about man, God, time and eternity. Our Lord more and more indicated His purpose and the plan of God for abundant life for now and forever. That plan was for a new Covenant, not written on stone but on the hearts of people. These people are a people called out by the Holy Spirit of God to whom God would make His personal presence known in their very lives.

These were to be a people of God's own possession; who were to be lead, empowered and kept for the glory of God. This wonderful knowledge of God in one's life is solely related to a faith commitment to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and the pure presence of eternal life in God this very moment and forever. Jesus reflects this in His great prayer in John 17.

Oh, my God and my Christ you are so wonderful and amazing in your loving presence to me and those who know you.

LOVE AND HATE

Love is positive. Hate is negative. Love is connecting. Hate is separating. God loves and He hates. He loved Jacob and hated Esau.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 9:13: God hated ("emisaesa" Gk from "misos" hatred, detest, abhor) Esau. Esau was a man of the world/flesh, he lusted for pleasure rather than the righteousness of God through faith. See Hebrews 12:16.

Bible studies plainly show that God hates sin and rebellion against His law. The results of sin are death and hell. Yet, God in His love ("agapae" Gk.) has mercy upon the sinner, giving the sinner the time of life to seek His face and remission of his/her sin through Jesus Christ, who, in love, gave Himself totally to redeem the repentant sinner from sin's death and hell.

Some false teachers ignore God's hatred of sin and only speak of His love. They say: "God loves us all and does not note or count any sin and rebellion, since He is so loving." Basically they appear to be saying: "go ahead and do what you feel you want, or have a urge to do, since God loves you so much, anyhow."

This is "hogwash." What kind of love doesn't care if we poison ourselves to death, with alcohol, drugs, sex, and other carnal indulgences, and/or go crazy for power, pleasure, or position in the world of the 'here and now'."

Sin is against God's law and God's will for complete and perfect righteousness/holiness. God allows people to sin and to suffer the results of their sin. We can choose sin and hell, or we can listen to and obey the Gospel of God's love in Christ, then seek to be changed and cleansed from our sins. When we are cleansed, the Lord God gives to us, each one, who trusts by faith in His power for daily living, a new life/heart of real love and consequent giving of blessings to others, freely. Real love from God the Father fulfills His law. Believers in Christ Jesus are lovers of the souls of sinners, outside of Christ. We know that condemned sinners can be cleansed, forgiven and changed if and when they see their hopelessness in this world without Christ Jesus the Lord and God.

Friends, God is love("agapae") and will completely save you for today and eternity with new and full life in his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

In the Gospel of John, chapters one through three, John clearly shows Jesus as Savior of all who call upon His name. God, the heavenly Father, loves and redeems sinners, who earn His wrath but who trust His grace for new life in Christ, rather than His wrath in hell. Therefore, in Christ Jesus, God, the Father's love ("agapae") overcomes or satisfies His wrath.