Gospel Reflections #257: The Love that Comes from God

James 4:17 "It is a sin for a man to know the good he ought to do and not do it."

These are the words of James to the proud who say they want to make a profit in business.

James is saying that those who know that God is love and that He tells us to love one another, but who do not try to love outwardly, but only pursue inward love to amuse themselves, are those who are separated from God.

Then what about those who make a list of deeds of love and prove that they are doing them, because it is God's will that we love one another?

God sees His love in our hearts.

We who are under the influence of sin can sometimes do deeds of love, even though we have no love in our hearts. But this is fallen human love, not the love that God says He has for us.

God works in our hearts and changes them. As a result, our actions are changed and we are led to manifest outward love.

God surrounds us with His love and fills our hearts with love. And He draws us back from our separation from God.

James is not judging us for sin, but showing us that we can turn around if we can recognize our separation from God, our sin.

That is how little we know who we are.

Sin is separation from God. We are not judged for our sins, but we can return to God when we realize our sins.

Our God is a God of love. He is waiting for us to return.

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This Gospel Reflections page is written by Masae San, a devoted student of the Bible who passionately embraces the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She shares her daily reflections on the Gospels as a way to reach out to others and spread the message of Jesus. We're sharing her message here so that you too can experience the joy that comes from the Gospel that has filled her heart.