“But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.” (Psalm 103: 17,18 NIV)
Though there are many who think that God’s love is simply available to all, this psalmist reminds us that although He is Love, He is selective about who receives His Love–at least proportionately so that others will know–they are loved by God.
Now, I can imagine how many readers will immediately think of John 3:16 and attempt to counter what I just said, but John is not saying anything differently than the psalmist here is saying. God loves the world so much that He came to save any who choose to believe. The psalmist declares that for all who reverence The Lord enough to obey Him, have a guarantee that His love will cover their children’s children when they remember to keep His commandments.
Receiving God’s love is as simple as understanding receiving a gift and being grateful for it. Since He is love, we open our hearts to Him and receive it, showing our gratitude in our obedience to His Word. So simple, but many people miss it.
When we choose to live our lives in confusion, promote or perpetuate confusion, and refute God’s Word as an authority in our lives, we have chosen to reject His gift of Love. God does not force Himself on anyone and we have the opportunity to choose Him and His love or to reject. As we look at current events and shake our heads, we can see the evidence of those who have rejected His gift of love. Satan’s influence is running rampant in the minds of those easily influenced by the need to make a statement about themselves–in opposition to God’s Word.
When Satan confuses a person’s mind, the end result is murder, violence, insensitivity to others, hatred, sexual promiscuity, and self-loathing.
When Holy Spirit governs our thinking we move in peace and harmony, seeking to do good, not harm, able to love all, and not hate any. We are compassionate, but obedient and promote God’s righteousness over self-righteousness and our desire is to please Him, not self. We receive His love and our actions are the evidence of gratitude. And because we receive His love and obey, His love will be poured upon our children’s children, when they receive it and obey.
maryhallrayford 
Mary, U say…”God does not force Himself on anyone and we have the opportunity to choose Him and His love or to reject.” While I agree, that God doesn’t force Himself on anyone…I am led to believe that we don’t have free will to choose Christ… God chooses us with the effectual call… Romans 8:28-30…
Ephesians 1:4… just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, (NKJV)
John 15:16… You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. (NKJV)
Ephesians 2:1 & 4-9… And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
I believe it is ALL God’s work… Our part, AFTER we are drawn in…(John 6:44), is to repent of our sin with godly sorrow…seeking Christ to become Lord of our life…
Blessings in Christ, bruce
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Bruce, my comment about God not forcing Himself on us is simply to remind people, of our ability to choose–“choose this day, who we will serve.” Yes, many of us are called, but few chosen and it is up to us to hear and respond. Love you in Jesus’ name.
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Reblogged this on Speaking The Word and commented:
Thank God I am a part of His LOVE!
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