{"id":907,"date":"2025-02-16T12:16:27","date_gmt":"2025-02-16T18:16:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/h4you.org\/?p=907"},"modified":"2025-02-16T12:16:27","modified_gmt":"2025-02-16T18:16:27","slug":"17-the-god-of-love","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/h4you.org\/index.php\/2025\/02\/16\/17-the-god-of-love\/","title":{"rendered":"17 – The God of Love"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_heading title=”The God of Love” _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”Georgia|700|on||||||” title_text_align=”center” title_font_size=”42px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/h4you.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Love-heart-on-tablet.jpeg” title_text=”Love heart on tablet” _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-40px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

By Terance Clark \u00a0 \u00a0 February 15, 2025 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a06 Minute Read<\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

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Week 17<\/o:p><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/o:p><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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This Weeks Passage: Exodus 18:1 – 20:23<\/o:p><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In the 5th century a Christian leader by the name Augustine of Hippo decided to change the 10 Commandments.\u00a0 He eliminated the first one and then expanded the last one into two.\u00a0 The Christian church has been teaching them this way ever since.\u00a0 This weeks lesson brings us to Mount Sinai where God speaks the famous ten words that has pretty much become the standard of morality around the entire globe.\u00a0 But what was the purpose of the \u00a010 commandments.\u00a0 Let’s look at the story.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-3px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||12px|||” inline_fonts=”Georgia” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

He’s the Same God in the OT and the NT<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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God gets a bad rap.\u00a0 Whenever he shows love and compassion in the Old Testament it somehow gets translated as harsh and stern, but when Jesus shows coldness in the New Testament its depicted as loving and kind.\u00a0 We don’t seem to understand that God is the same always.\u00a0 He hasn’t changed, love has always been his motive for all that He does and what takes place at Mount Sinai is not a cold harsh God laying out the law, but a loving kind God taking an oath to be faithful to His people.\u00a0 Isn’t it amazing how we can misinterpret the actions of someone so easily.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ inline_fonts=”Georgia” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

“Love has always been His motive<\/span><\/strong><\/em>“<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”27px|auto|-1px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”2px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-25px||||false|false” inline_fonts=”Georgia” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

God tells them I am jealous for you (Ex. 20:5).\u00a0 Jealous is not a good translation.\u00a0 The word is actually more like zealous or passionate for you.\u00a0 It’s a term of love not control and He gives them some very specific steps to take in preparation for their special day.\u00a0 It started with cleansing their hearts and minds and their clothes and even a bath.\u00a0 These are all ancient steps one takes before a marriage that the Jews still practice to this day.\u00a0 Yes, God was marrying His people and those commandments were simply the terms of the marriage covenant also a normal practice of the day.\u00a0 As you walk through each phase of what occurred that day each one was an aspect of a normal marriage ceremony culminating with a covenant meal do you see why God invited Moses and the leaders up to the mountain for a meal.<\/span><\/p>\n

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[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-3px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ inline_fonts=”Georgia” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” custom_padding=”||1px|||” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

God Chose to First Introduce Himself<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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What’s interesting is the very first commandment is an introduction where God introduces himself to the people.\u00a0 He says I am the LORD using His real name.\u00a0 The point is that He begins by introducing Himself as their God.\u00a0 The first command or expectation of the covenant is that we believe in who He is.\u00a0 A couple of weeks ago I shared that God’s name implies He is faithful and trustworthy.\u00a0 That He will do everything He has promised and we can fully put our whole being into His hands.\u00a0 That is what the first command is all about.\u00a0 He is introducing Himself as the one who has come for you and you can fully put your life in His hands.\u00a0 He will be faithful to fulfill everything He has promised.\u00a0 You can fully trust Him to care for you.\u00a0 That is what a marriage is all about.\u00a0 It’s about trust and commitment and promise.\u00a0 It’s about giving yourself fully to this other person and promising that you will never let them down and then following through.\u00a0 The first command is to believe in Him.\u00a0 When we can’t believe in Him there is no relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n

It’s interesting that the first command is no longer sited in Christian theology.\u00a0 We now say the first command is to have no other Gods.\u00a0 So, rather than begin our relationship with the knowledge that God is loving and faithful we have chosen to highlight that He expects us to just serve Him without recognizing what He has promised us.\u00a0 It’s no wonder why we see Him as an angry harsh God.\u00a0 Full of expectations and requirements but failing to love first and it’s all wrong because of one man who chose to change the commandments.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” inline_fonts=”Georgia” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

“So change your view<\/span><\/strong><\/em>“<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”27px|auto|-1px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”2px|||||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-25px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px|||” inline_fonts=”Georgia” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

As we have celebrated Valentine’s Day this week, the truth is that God is love.\u00a0 He has always been love.\u00a0 He doesn’t just change into a loving God in the New Testament it has always been His nature.\u00a0 The problem is when you already believe something about someone you tend to just see them in that light.\u00a0 So change your view.\u00a0 Stop believing the lie that God is angry and mean.\u00a0 As you read the Old Testament what I like to call the original scriptures begin looking for a loving God and I guarantee you will begin to see all the places where He tells us and shows us He is the God of love.<\/span><\/p>\n

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By Terance Clark \u00a0 \u00a0 February 15, 2025 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a06 Minute Read Week 17 \u00a0 This Weeks Passage: Exodus 18:1 – 20:23 \u00a0\u00a0 In the 5th century a Christian leader by the name Augustine of Hippo decided to change the 10 Commandments.\u00a0 He eliminated the first one and then expanded the last one into […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":908,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"1080","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-907","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/h4you.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/907","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/h4you.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/h4you.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/h4you.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/h4you.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=907"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/h4you.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/907\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":938,"href":"https:\/\/h4you.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/907\/revisions\/938"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/h4you.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/908"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/h4you.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=907"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/h4you.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=907"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/h4you.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=907"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}