We may wonder if someone is beyond hope. We may find their attitudes and actions repulsive. What they do might turn our stomachs. It might make us furiously angry. We may be hurt by their obstinate and stubborn refusal even to hear the truth.

This verse recently gave me pause. The verse was John 16:27, which says, “the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father. (NASB 2020) I was surprised, stunned really, and a little frightened, at the word “because.”

When we fall into performance patterns instead of depending on Him, our love for others is an expression of the flesh rather than of Christ.

The deeds, or works, God values are those done by faith in Him, not those done by our attempts to merit His favor.

You are so free that Paul had to address with the Corinthian church the idea that everything is permissible.

God’s love, agapé love, that’s true love.

This is useful for our everyday lives, perhaps especially as election time approaches, as well as our lives in the Church.