God loves us.

This is what we usually hear from those who preach the words of God. The truth is, teachings in the Bible give proof of the unending and unconditional love of God for His people.

Not all people are considered to be God’s servants. The Bible clearly explains the attributes of His servants. Paul explains in Hebrews 10: 38, Now, “the Just shall live by faith. But if he draws back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him.”

There are two things that we need to understand in this verse. First, when we say living in faith, it means walking in righteousness by following the teachings and obeying God’s commands. A true servant of God speaks, thinks and does things according to faith. Second, a true servant never draws back. Servants have courage to face anything in this life. This means that they will live and die but will continue to hold on with their faith.

Like Job, a servant has an absolute fear of God. And because he fears God, he is always faithful and ever loyal to God and His commands. (Job 2: 3) “Did you notice my servant Job?” the LORD asked. “There is no one on earth as faithful and good as he is. He worships me and is careful not to do anything evil. You persuaded me to let you attack him for no reason at all, but Job is still as faithful as ever.”

A servant has a knowledge of what is right and wrong, what is righteous and immoral in the eyes of God and he also know how to do the true will of God.

This doesn’t mean that a servant is free from sin. The Bible says there is no righteous that doesn’t commit sin. (Ecclesiastes 7:20) For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin. (1 John 1: 8, 10) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us.

It is normal to commit sin, but we should never try to do it in purpose. And if we commit sin, we should humbly seek God’s forgiveness. Paul says lucky are those whom sins are not counted. (Romans 4: 7-8) saying, “Blessed are those whose lawlessnesses are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man to whom the Lord will in no way impute sin.” 

Servants are called in the church of God to be holy and righteous; and being holy and righteous are done by walking humbly and obeying God’s will. (1 Cor. 1: 1-2) Paul, a called apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, to the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called out with all those in every place who call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.

All who desire holiness and righteousness are not excuse to committing sin. But in the point of doing sins, let us not forget that there are sins that are not intentional and there are sins categorized as premeditated. John says, “If anyone sees his brother sin a sin not to death, he shall ask, and He shall give him life for those that do not sin to death. There is a sin to death, I do not say that he shall pray for it.”

How did God show His love to His servants who commit sins?

God’s love to His servants is never ending. His love brings out mercy to those who ask for His forgiveness. But God doesn’t allow those servants who continuously break His laws and commands. To stop this from happening, God disciplines His people. If they commit mistakes, God always corrects them. (Psalm 89: 30-32) If his children forsake My Law, and do not walk in My judgments; if they profane My Precepts, and do not keep My Commandments; then I will visit their wickedness with the rod, and their sin with stripes. 

God corrects our mistakes as a way of His disciplinary measures. His purpose is to make us realize to repent and humbly seek His name for forgiveness. (Proverbs 23: 13-14) Do not withhold correction from a boy, for if you beat him with the rod, he will not die. You shall beat him with the rod, and shall deliver his soul from hell. 

Like parents do to their children, God’s purpose is to correct us and improve our ways. All we have to do is to accept His corrections. (Proverbs 3: 11-12) My son, do not despise the chastening of God; nor be weary with His correction; for whom God loves He corrects, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

God disciplines His servants because He wants them to avoid the danger of being punished at the time of judgment. People will face God at the judgment day, except of course to His servants who are now being punished and pre-judged. The disciplines we receive now are all part of His love and mercy so that we will never be part of the those who will be judged in the judgment day. (1 Cor. 11: 32) But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

Lucky are those who receive corrections now, because that will only mean that they are receiving God’s love and mercy. (Psalm 94: 12) Blessed is the man whom You chasten, O God, to teach him out of Your Law; (Job 5: 17) Behold, blessed is the man whom God corrects. Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.

The teachings we received and heard are all reminders and signs of His disciplines. Sermons may become too wounding and upsetting, but its purpose is to make us straight and righteous in front of God. Sermons are not meant to destroy us. They are meant to improve us and build us a better relationship with God.

As servants, what can we do to each other to show our response to God’s love?

Each has a duty to remind and comfort each other. If we love one another, we should not let others go on with their sins. (Heb. 3: 13) But give comfort to one another every day as long as it is still Today; so that no one among you may be made hard by the deceit of sin: (1 Thess. 5:11) Therefore comfort one another, and edify one another, even as you also do. 

Our duty is to strengthen, comfort each other through the words of God. As part of the body of Christ, whom we were all called upon; we should care for one another. (1 Cor. 12:25) that there not be division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.

Paul believes that there is no reason why we can’t show our love to others. Each of us has been given the strength to care and love one another. (Romans 15: 14) And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brothers, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. 

If we can do this, if we can love one another, people will know that we are really true servants of God. (John 13: 34-35 ) I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. As I have loved you, you should also love one another. By this all shall know that you are My disciples, if you have love toward one another.