I learned that faith isn't about knowing all of the right stuff or obeying a list of rules. It's something more, something more costly because it involves being present and making a sacrifice. Perhaps that's why Jesus is sometimes called Immanuel - "God with us." I think that's what God had in mind, for Jesus to be present, to just be with us. It's also what He has in mind for us when it comes to other people.
The kind of love that God created and demonstrated is a costly one because it involves sacrifice and presence...What I learned from Randy about the brand of love Jesus offers is that it's more about presence than undertaking a project. It's a brand of love that doesn't just think about good things, or agree with them, or talk about them.
Love requires action. Real love costs us something. God's love cost him a lot in sending Jesus into our presence and Jesus' love for us cost him everything though his sacrifice.
That gives a whole new insight into this time of year when God came into our world to dwell among us - Immanuel.
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