God's Tuff Love

God’s Tuff Love.

    “Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe?³² But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me.³³ I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”  John 16:31-33 (NLT)

    God is working in us.

    "Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty. ¹⁸ For He bruises, but He binds up; He wounds, but His hands make whole.” Job 5:17-18

    For us, knowledge means information, facts, and concepts. But in Bible times, knowledge was centered in personal relationships. To know someone is to enter into a close relationship with that person. Knowing God involves much more than simply mastering facts and information about Him. It even goes beyond studying about the nature and character of God. Knowing God means entering into a close relationship with Him. It means identifying with God and learning to view everything as God does. God is our Father.  Getting to know God will transform our thoughts and actions, our priorities and values, and our relationships with our fellow human beings.

    For whom the Lord loves He chastens.

“And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; ⁶ For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives." ⁷ If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten” Heb 12:5-7

    “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; ⁴ and perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:3-5

    “The apostle John makes the same point: "The law was given through Moses, but God's unfailing love [grace] and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ" (John 1:17). Neither John nor Paul meant that God's grace was not active in the OT, because God has always dealt graciously with his people. But the overwhelming power of God's grace is displayed for us in and through Jesus Christ.”—NLT Study Bible

    “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”  James 1:2-5

    Tests and challenges come at us from all sides. We know that under pressure, our faith-life is forced out into the open and shows our true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let the struggle do its work so we become mature and well-developed, not lacking in any way.

    Job worships God

    “Then Job answered the Lord and said: ² "I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. ³ You asked, 'Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?' Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. ⁴ Listen, please, and let me speak; You said, 'I will question you, and you shall answer Me.' ⁵ "I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You. ⁶ Therefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes." Job 42:1-6

    Job was convinced: God can do anything and everything. Nothing and no one can upset His plans.  Job had babbled on about things far beyond him, made small talk about wonders way over his the questions. God gives the answers.  Job once lived by rumors and hearsay about God.  Now he has it all firsthand—from Job’s own eyes and ears!  Through the written word we can see God through Job’s eyes.

    Sin can be forgiven.

    “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. ¹⁵ And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. ¹⁶ If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. ¹⁷ All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.”  1 John 5:14-17

                “a Christian brother or sister: Literally a brother; see note on 2:9. • Sins that lead to death are those involving apostasy (see Matt 12:31-32; Heb 6:4-6). In the context of this letter, apostasy involves leaving the apostolic faith and joining a heretical, anti-Christian movement such as those denounced in John's letters (see also "Consequences of Apostasy" at Heb 2:1-4, p. 2085).—NLT Study Bible