5. LOVE-GIFT LIKE HIM

Jesus was the gift of His Father's love for the perishing world.

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

"As" He was sent from the Father to bring life through His death and resurrection; "as" He brought love from the heart of God by being His Gift, so "also" His sent ones, through dying to self and sin in His death, and rising with Him in newness of life, are God's love gift to perishing men. There can be one of two effects resulting from the love gift of God's Son.

Believing and receiving, which results in everlasting life.
Unbelief and rejection, which results in perishing.

"Also" the sent ones have this divisional effect on those to whom they are sent. By being God's love gift in a kingdom zone where you are placed, you will be received by some, bringing about life change and entrance into the kingdom. Others, rejection will separate them to condemnation and judgment.

God's love gift of kingdom sons sown in the world will make the sons of the wicked one more obvious and marked for judgment. Kingdom sons are God's standard by which He will judge the nations. Referring back to the Lord's explanation of the parable of the tares, He said,

Matthew 13:40 "Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age."

In wonderful contrast, of kingdom sons He said,

Matthew 13:43 "Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father."

The "Go" of the Master is a going as a love gift to those among whom we live and labour. That fact takes out any wrong motivation from witnessing. Our reaching out as His sent ones is inspired by His love. We do not work for wages, neither do we labour to obtain the favour of man; the love of God motivates us. Our practical outreach has its basis in the heart of God.

The secret of reaching out to others is having the love of God "poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us" (Romans 5:5 ). That is what makes an impact on the lives of those to whom we minister: the love poured out into our hearts, being poured into theirs. Love is so practical. Yes, it is not just words, it is works, God's works motivated by God's love poured out in our hearts. James speaks a straight word about this:

James 2:15-16 "If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?"

The faith of kingdom sons is seen in their works. They are sent to meet the needs and heal the hurts. Recipients of such service are receiving a gift of God's love, and by it the kingdom of God is advanced. As a sent one, you are being a love gift of God to your nation.