Today's Passage - John 13:1-3

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english John 13:1-3   It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end...   "Having loved his own who were in the world" - How precious is this scripture passage!  Who are "his own"?  It's those who believe in Jesus and accept Him as personal savior; in other word, we are "his own".  This concept of ownership was particularly prevalent in the society of the past where slaves were traded.  When a master purchased a slave in the slave market, the slave no longer belonged to himself, but rather he's owned by his master.  In the same manner, we used to be under the authority of darkness and sin, but when Lord Jesus loves so much that He used his precious blood as the hefty price to redeem us, we no longer belong to ourselves, but are owned by Him.  As soon as we are owned by God, the Lord says that He will love us to the end, hallelujah!   Did you know that the Lord will love you to the end?  In this world, no one else can love to the end, because the love of this world is normally conditional, but love of the Lord for us is unconditional.  I often describe God's love as the love that doesn't give up; even when we are disobedient and we make the Holy Spirit worry, God will never give up on us, and He will use His complete love and merciful love to love us.   In my past, I've said to God so many times: "God, just leave me alone!  You go your way and I go mine!  Let's go our separate ways and don't care about me again!"  I thank God that He's never listened to this prayer of mine.  Instead, He brought me back with His grace and mercy again and again.  So often we are weak and fail, but not only does God give us a second chance, He will also give us third, fourth and fifth chance!  God is always patiently waiting for us to turn back to Him.   As soon as we are willing to turn back to God, we will find that God is still loving us deeply!  He never abandons us, and He's still willing to wait for us to turn back to Him, because His love for us is unconditional.  No matter what your current circumstance is, even if you feel that you are not worthy, God still loves you, hallelujah!  He will embrace you with His arms, and He will fill you with His love!    Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, we thank you because your love is everlasting.  Lord, if there's anyone among us who need such love from you, please fill them with your love so that they may once again turn back from their circumstance of weakness and disobedience.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!