Women’s Ministries Emphasis Day JUNE 10, 2023 A Love THAT

Women’s Ministries Emphasis Day JUNE 10, 2023 A Love THAT PRECEDES ONE’S CHOICES Sermon prepared by Margery Herinirina, Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division Women’s Ministries

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:10, 11, NIV

Why is it so much easier to judge people rather than to love them and pray for them despite their behavior?

Prevenient grace God begins the process of giving grace, showing love to each person in their individual lifetime regardless of their choices of right or wrong.

Ephesians 2:8-10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Before we chose Him, He chose us. (John 15:16)

Joshua 2:10-11 “We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.”

Titus 3:5 “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”

God’s grace in the form of the Holy Spirit precedes human decisions.

Joshua 2:12 “The Lord your God is God in heaven and above and on the earth below.”

Romans 2:4 “Do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”

1 John 2:6 “Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”

Redefining the term “SINNER”

James 2:4 “Have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?”

How then are we to define a sinner? Romans 3:23 “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:10 “There is none righteous, no, not one.”

“The closer you come to Jesus, the more faulty you will appear in your own eyes; for your vision will be clearer, and your imperfections will be seen in broad and distinct contrast to His perfect nature.” Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 64.2

”Love must be the prevailing element in all our work. In the representation of others who do not believe as we do, every speaker must guard against making statements that will appear severe and like judging. Present the truth, and let the truth, the Holy Spirit of God, act as a reprover, as a judge; but let not your words bruise and wound the soul.” Ellen G. White, Evangelism, p. 303.2

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:10, 11, NIV

Matthew 5:44, 45 “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”

The Holy Spirit helps remove our pride and replace it with a forgiving, kind, and patient heart. helps heal our past hurts so that we can love others in the way that we have been loved by God.

“It had been an ill nature in Rahab if she had been content to be saved alone: that her love might be a match to her faith, she covenants for all her family, and so returns life to those of whom she received it.” H.D.M. Spence-Jones, editor, The Pulpit Commentary, Joshua 2:12

Loving difficult people Sometimes love is not just a feeling, it is a decision we choose to make.

To be like Jesus, we must proceed with love grac e kindnes s patience even before others have made the right choices.

God calls us to a life of love that is deeper than human feelings or emotions. Love is a commitment, a thoughtful decision, to serve God and our neighbors. This kind of love compels us to work for the well-being of all people—those whom we find it easy to love and those whom we find it difficult to love.

He who calls us to love one another is also the One who will enable us to do it.