Words of Grace

By Rev. Mahlon Nevel

It has been written that the apostle John continued to preach right up to the end of his life. Having to be helped to his feet and held up by someone, he always began his sermon with the words: “Beloved, love one another.”

In his first epistle John wrote much about love. Love begins with God ”for love is of God” (I John 4:7) It is because of his love that we are able to love. “We love him, because he first loved us (V:19)

Yes, God has love, and he is loving. But more than that, “God is love,” (V.8, 16) And his love is directed toward us.

His love is as great as he himself is. God is great, and his great- ness is unsearchable. His love is great, and it is also unsearchable.

“Behold, what manner of love. the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God… Beloved, now are we the sons of God.” (3:1, 2)

We are now the children of God, but what shall we be in the future? What we do know is that when Jesus shall appear, we are going to be like him. (V.2)

Evangelist Gipsy Smith was preaching at a church in Dallas, Texas. A group of black ministers had asked him to meet with them exclusively.

An aged black woman suddenly stood up and asked, “Mr. Smith What color are we going to be when we get to Heaven? Will we be white or black ?

Everybody was waiting breathlessly to hear his answer. “My dear sister,” replied Gipsy,” we are going to be just like Christ.