Redeemed to Love

God lives and works today. We see the proof of this in the lives that He transforms. People who by nature only think about themselves and their advantages and welfare, He redeems into loving, sympathetic people who make other people's lives rich and happy.

Listen to more about this in today's testimony from the life of Basilia Schlenk, one of the two founders and leaders of the Lutheran Evangelical Sisterhood, which is located on the little land of Canaan in Darmstadt, Germany. Mother Materia and I will never forget the time when we stood at the deathbed of the spiritual father and co-founder of our sisterhood. What would his last words be? What advice would he give us for our sisterhood, which was only two years old? When we asked him about this, three words came clearly from the mouth of the dying man.

Love, love, love. In that hour, God laid upon our hearts that the greatest thing in time and eternity is divine love. This must be our only commission in life.

In the 13th chapter of Corinthians, the Apostle Paul ascertains that without love we are absolutely nothing. All our activities, all our acts of love and charity are nothing if they are not backed by true, divine love. That is why it's so important for all of us to wage war against the lack of love in our hearts.

However, this means, first of all, a radical break with our self-love, which so completely fills all our thoughts and wishes that we have no time or loving thoughts left over for others. And then we must praise and faith the precious blood of Jesus, which was shed for our redemption. Yes, to redeem us from all self-centeredness and lovelessness.

Whoever takes these steps will experience how Jesus' love streams into his heart to free him, no matter how tightly he may be bound to his ego. It is valid for us all. Love has been purchased for us.

Whoever asks for it will receive it. God will bless our hands to do good. Jesus will give us a heart that burns for him and overflows in love.

Is there any prayer that Jesus would rather answer than one for love? The word of God tells us that it is the greatest gift. If we would only hear this joyous news today, we are redeemed to love. Jesus longs to be able to speak these words of grace to us one day.

Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you. Therefore, let us pray and sing together. O fill my heart with the tender love so true, with which I, too, may show mercy just like you.

Lord, love like this give me. You have been listening to a program written by Basilia Schlink of the Little Land of Canaan. To learn more about how God lives and works today, visit us at our website www.canaan.org. If you contact us, we would be happy to send you a free inspirational booklet.

If you do not have access to the web, please write to God Lives and Works Today, 9849 North 40th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85028-4099. God bless you.