The Love of Jesus Christ

The Love of Jesus Christ

By Marta Alves
LEAP OF FAITH- www.faithleap.org

Christ is my Lord and Savior and I am happy.

I smile because I know God loves ME as I am. Once I understood the love God has for me, individually, my attitude about life changed. It became one of appreciation and love. I understood what John 3: 16 says:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him
may not perish but may have eternal life.”
John 3:16

Our brain and mind is not capable of fully understanding God’s mind, so He sent His only Son to show us the way to the Father and to open the door of Heaven to us.

We continue to read in John 3:17 that:

“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world,
but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
John 3:17

To show His love for us, the Lamb of God, Jesus, was slain and sacrificed for us in atonement for our sins.

What does God require of us for salvation?

To love God above all things and to love our neighbors as ourselves, like the lawyer who asked Jesus:

..."Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
He said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?"
He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
and with all your soul, and with all your strength,
and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself."
And he said to him, "You have given the right answer;
do this, and you will live."
Luke 10:25-28

What do I see in the Passion of Christ? I see the love of God for me. If God loves me so there is nothing I can do in return but love Him and love and forgive my neighbor.

It is by personal example that others are lead to Christ.

Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another,
a tender heart, and a humble mind.
Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary,
repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called-- that you might inherit a blessing.
For "Those who desire life and desire to see good days, let them keep
their tongues from evil and their lips from speaking deceit;
let them turn away from evil and do good; let them seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
1 Pet 3:8-12

Jesus did not leave us alone. After his death, resurrection and ascension into heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit on Pentecost and the Church was born.

How do we know that the Holy Spirit dwells in His Church? Because the Church is alive and well 2,000 years later.

What does it take to be a Christian? All it takes is to acknowledge Christ as your Lord and Savior and to lead your life as a Christian. Love God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself.

What does it take to be a Catholic? Come and be baptized. Go to the nearest Catholic church and tell them you want to become a Catholic and in America, they will enroll you in the RCIA- (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) – After a few weeks of instruction on what our faith is all about, you will be baptized, confirmed, go to the sacrament of penance and receive the Holy Eucharist. Within six months, you will be initiated into the Catholic Church.

If you want to learn about the Catholic Church read the Catechism of the Catholic Church and that will give you a general overview of what the Catholic faithful beliefs are.

The Vatican published in the year 2000 the declaration Dominus Iesus. It is what Jesus Christ represents to the Catholic Church. It is a wonderful document to be read. You can access it at Dominus Iesus is made Public (Click HERE)

Written on Sunday, February 22, 2004