3. A SUBMITTED LOVE

God's usable people are so, because they love Jesus and demonstrate their love in complete submission to His Word.

John 14:23 "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him."

Earlier, in verse 15, the Lord Jesus told His disciples, "If you love Me, keep My commandments."

Love is practical, or it is not love at all. To offer affection to the Lord and not do what He commands, is a vain thing. The person who keeps His word is showing the truth of his love by obedience. When a member of the body is living a life that is in accordance with the Lord's revealed will in the scriptures, they can talk and sing about the fact that they love the Lord. It is obedience to His word that demonstrates love to Christ.

The lover of Jesus will do what He says, implicitly; will keep His word impartially; do what is wanted without picking and choosing. Further, he will do it out of love, joyfully. Love finds pleasure in serving. When you see a disciple submitting his life, time and talents to the word of Jesus out of love's heart desire, you are looking at a usable person.

Give tasks to those who are motivated by the heart and they will do incredible jobs. There are ladies doing weekly Bible Clubs for children, a job that requires much prior preparation and the opening of their homes with hospitality with all the consequent wear and tear. They pour out of their energies in keeping the children's attention and getting the message home. They willingly have neighbours' children come visiting at will. There is extra demand on their time in comforting, counselling and encouraging, not to mention the normal demands of their own responsibilities to husband and children. They would not go on with their chosen task if their hearts were not motivated. They would tire and give up if it were not for their love for Jesus who called them to get involved in reaching children for Him. Those so sacrificially involved are 'plus', not 'minus' people.

Have you ever thought that there are people whose most fitting symbol is a 'minus' sign? They never add to anyone's happiness, hopes, or faith. Sadly, they actually take away from your faith and confidence. When minus people leave your company, you feel you are somehow the poorer in your own esteem and in your belief in others.

There are people, thank God, of a different sort. They never come to us but that they add to our store of all the best things far beyond their thought or intention. 'Plus' people have more than a love for people, they have a love for Jesus. This 'plus' helps them to believe in peoples' potential for good and service in Jesus, because they are thrilled to see Jesus birthed and formed in them in all His beauty, stature and grace. 'Plus' people give out faith, hope and love. They bring with them courage, inspiration and strength.

In his book "The Glory of the Grey", A. Alexander was referring to 'plus' people when he said, "Their praise humbles us, yet leaves us tingling with desire to be more worthy of it". I ask you, is it not far better to be 'plus' than 'minus'?

The very standard of loving people as Jesus loved has its impelling strength in loving Jesus. The two go hand in hand or not at all, and are fully expressed in obedience to His Word.

3.1. GOD'S USABLE PEOPLE HAVE HEART OBEDIENCE THAT BRINGS HEART OCCUPANCY

Unmistakable blessings follow heart obedience out of love of Jesus:

• Such people are recognized by their love of Jesus that brings perfect obedience.

John 5:2 "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments."

• Such people are recognized because they are Father loved. They experience the love of the Father when they keep His commandments.

John 14:21 "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father."

• Such people are recognized by the evidence of Jesus' love for them.

John 14:21 "and I will love him ..."

• Such people are recognized as blessed, because Jesus manifests Himself to them.

John 14:21 "... and manifest Myself to him."

• Such people are recognized as being a home of God, indwelt by the Godhead, Father, Son and Spirit.

John 14:23 "If anyone loves me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him."

They are the temple of the living God. (1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19. 2 Corinthians 6:16 ). God making His home, or abiding with the lover of Jesus, speaks of fellowship. This is clearly taught in the writings of John.

1 John 3:24 "Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us."

The proof of the Father and the Son abiding is the given Spirit. Those who are usable are temples of the Spirit who is shining forth in His supernatural abilities ( l Corinthians l2:7-11 ). This results from being a home of God. God's usable people are Spirit-used people. Fellowship with the Holy Spirit is essential to being usable.

When looking for leaders, their submitted love reveals them, and submitted love is the key to usefulness.