In today’s session, Derek looks at four different words for love, how they are used in Scripture, and how they differ from one another. This understanding is important so that we will know what is meant when Scripture talks about the love of God. What is this picture of agape love demonstrated in Christ dying for us?

Today Derek points out that Holiness requires both a sacrifice and a priest to offer it. In the all-sufficiency of Jesus, both of these were provided. Jesus became both the sacrifice and the High Priest. Jesus was the Lamb of God who takes away our sin, and through the eternal Spirit He offered Himself without blemish to God.

Scripture speaks of God dwelling in unapproachable light, and yet His love for mankind draws them to Him. Derek looks at how this love of God took on flesh with light inside in the person of Jesus, so He could draw near to them.

Derek begins this Christmas season study on the love of God by stressing the need to know the One from whom it comes. We can only know God as Father if we know His Son, Jesus Christ. This love is so vast. Paul prayed for believers to have a revelation of it, as he continued all his earthly life seeking to know this One, and exhorting all to follow after him.

Derek finishes this study of agreeing with God by looking at opposites in God’s categorization of morality. A matter is either in the light or in darkness—there are no gray areas. Is something a lie or is it the truth? Is it sin or is it righteousness? Do you love God or the world? You can’t have it both ways. If you love God, you will change your thinking to align with God’s thoughts and ways.

Today Derek looks at one of the categories God uses, the first being spiritual. Very simply it is this: a person is either walking in faith or unbelief. This applies not merely to believing in the person of Jesus, but also in the message of the gospel. Faith is pleasing to God and brings results; unbelief brings condemnation and emptiness. It is a decision we must each make.

Derek looks at the two sides of God’s nature—His mercy and severity—which run all through the Bible. Looking at Old and New Testament Scriptures we see He is consistent: full of mercy for those who will turn to Him, but bringing judgment upon those who will not listen and obey. Which camp are you in?

In today’s study Derek shows us that God is interested in the little things as well as the large. He cares about our faithfulness in everything we do, not just the big “important” responsibilities. Until we grasp God’s infinite attention and care for the small things, we won’t really appreciate how much He cares for us.

Derek continues this week in looking at how our thinking needs to change to agree with God’s thinking. Today he looks at the priorities of God, the first being to bring heaven to earth—as exemplified in The Lord’s Prayer. The second priority is to put the eternal before the temporal. Don’t miss this solid teaching.

Today Derek presents the second objective of God to our thought life: that is, the need for excellence. Derek uses creation as his example. All that God created was counted as “good.” But when all of creation is taken as a whole, it was considered “very good,” or excellent. God wants excellence in every area. That was His standard at creation, and He’s never lowered it.