Sunday, November 18, 2007

Pure Religion, True Love

After receiving a recent post from a wonderful Christian sister, Barbara Kardokus where she described receiving a unique catalog from a Christian humanitarian organization called World Vision, it really stirred me up concerning the love of God and giving.  In James 1: 17 GNB it states

"What God the Father considers to be pure and genuine religion is this: to take care of orphans and widows in their suffering and to keep oneself from being corrupted by the world."

True love, true religion is demonstrated, not just talked about.  In 1 John 3:8 GNB, the Apostle John shares, "My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action."  God our Father did not just say He loved us.  He demonstrated His love for us by giving.  In John 3:16 GW it says, "God loved the world this way: He gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life."  God so loved us He gave the most valuable thing He had, His son.  Love is demonstrated by unselfish giving. 

Someone once said you can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.  Referring again to James statement, pure and genuine religion is giving to those who are unable to give back.  It's not giving to get, it's giving that a blessing may come to someone else.

For those interested in checking out a couple of avenues in which true love, pure religion can be expressed, here are two possible organizations.

1. World Vision - http://www.worldvision.org/worldvision/master.nsf/home
World Vision's is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.  Their unique catalog is available at www.worldvisiongifts.org.

2. God's Child Project - http://www.godschild.org/index.html
God's Child Project was founded in 1991 to assist and educate children in Guatemala.

May the Lord enlarge all of our hearts to those who are in need.  May we all remember that God so loved me that He gave His only Son to me that I might live and have life.