PASSING ON THE BATON, NO. 6 - KEEP YOURSELF IN THE LOVE OF GOD (The opposite of this picture!)

Men, in order to pass on the baton of Christian values effectively we must refrain from being overly severe, stern, and serious. While there is merit in being stern when dealing with disobedience and foolishness, we must not be known as severe, unloving men in our general every day demeanor.

The American Gothic painting by Grant Wood of the farmer with his pitchfork and the spinster daughter depicts the overly serious nature of that time. Even the church has erred a great deal in the past by depicting God as an overly serious punisher of all mankind. You see this revealed in the Renaissance period in the stain glass windows of cathedrals as well as the famous art galleries of that time.

The apostle John, who leaned on Jesus' breast, writes more about the love of God than any other writer in God's Word. In revealing God he plainly states: "God is love" (1 John 4:8). John is not talking about a sloppy, cheap, surface love, but rather a deep-rooted love that comes from the heart that is filled with the merciful, gracious, and most generous love that is always genuine and never disingenuous or flattering.

Men, this type of love most definitely helps to pass the baton of Christian virtues and values on to the next generation.

Jude 1:20, 21 states, "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." This Scripture implies that in order to keep ourselves at all times in God's love we must always be praying in the Holy Ghost. This is not just logical praying without any feeling or heart passion, Rather, it is praying with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell