THE HEART AND MESSAGE

OF THE CROSS
Daniel Keeran, Victoria, Canada

LOVE AND
NONVIOLENCE

LOVE AND NONVIOLENCE:

THE HEART AND MESSAGE OF THE CROSS

prepared by Daniel Keeran, Victoria, Canada

Christians possess the most powerful weapon against terrorism

such as ISIS. That weapon is love!
Yet we do not know how to use love in this conflict. We use love
by dying for our enemies just as our Leader died for us when we
were his enemies when he could have destroyed us.
And he called unto him the multitude with his disciples, and said
unto them, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself,
and take up his cross, and follow me. Mark 8:24
"God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the
Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." - Romans 5:5
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we
were still sinners, Christ died for us. " - Romans 5:8
"Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how
much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him!"
Romans 5:9
"For if, while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to
him through the death of his Son, how much more, having
been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!"
- Romans 5:10
.............. for more New Testament words related to nonviolence
click here
.. and visit the following URL for How To Become A Christian
www.box.com/lovegod

The Love of God: A Meditation

prepared by Daniel Keeran, MSW,
Victoria, BC
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love.
Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 1 John 4:16

When judged, we tend to judge in return. How can we transform

our judgment and condemnation of others into caring and
compassion for them? What does the cross teach us?
At the heart of our faith is the cross, and at the heart of the cross
is the love of God who suffered for our offenses. The cross
teaches us to love and care for those who offend us. This kind of
love is so against our emotional custom that sometimes we cant
see it. We cant grasp it. The next time you are offended,
remember this Lords Supper and remember these words:
John 3: 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and
only Son...
Romans 5:5 And hope does not put us to shame, because Gods
love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy
Spirit, who has been given to us.
Romans 5:8-10 But God demonstrates his own love for us in
this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we
have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be
saved from Gods wrath through him! For if, while we were
Gods enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death
of his Son.
Remember these words of the Master when he said: "But to you
who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those
who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who
mistreat you. Luke 6:27-28
2 Thessalonians 3:5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the
love of God and into the patience of Christ.

Ephesians 5:1-2 Follow Gods example, therefore, as dearly loved

children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us
and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to
God.
1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ
laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives
for our brothers and sisters.
1 John 4:10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he
loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our
sins.
1 John 4:19-21 We love because he first loved us.... Anyone
who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
The prophet Isaiah said of Christ in chapter 53 of his book: By
oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet when Jesus
was suffering mockery and condemnation on the cross, he said,
Father forgive them..... (Luke 23:34). And Peter observed of
Christ that When they hurled their insults at him, he did not
retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he
entrusted himself to him who judges justly. (1 Peter 3:23).
Peter precedes those word with this in 1 Peter 3:20-22: But if you
suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable
before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered
for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his
steps.
Paul says in Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but
overcome evil with good, and For though we live in the world,
we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight
with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have
divine power to demolish strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:3-4). He
says in Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and
blood.
2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for
full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in
peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

Lets pray:
For the Bread
God, give us grace and mercy to forgive as we have been
forgiven, to love as we have been loved. Thank you for this bread
that reminds us of the suffering love of Jesus who loved us and
gave himself for us and offered forgiveness even while we were
offending him. Teach us your love, your compassion, your
gentleness, your caring and concern even for those who offend
us. In Jesus name. Amen.
For the Cup
Lord, thank you for this cup that reminds us of the blood of Christ
that forgives our sins. Give us courage to forgive and love one
another as you have forgiven and loved us. In the name of the
Way, the Truth, and the Life. Amen.
Thought Questions
Scenario: A threatening man demands you commit one of the
following sins in order to save a life.
What sin would you be willing to commit to save a life?
1. adultery or other sexual sin
2. rob a bank
3. deny Christ
4. kill the threatening man before he can kill anyone
5. kill a different bad man
6. other
Why did God destroy people for sin in the Old Testament but not
in the New Testament? (hint: the cross)
How does this affect our relationship with the threatening man in
the above question?
The God of love is reaching out to you right now
http://www.box.com/lovegod