Through the Fall, everyone fell under death’s dominion, but through Jesus everyone has an opportunity, while they are on this earth. Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the law, from the curse of the world, and from the curse of death; He redeemed us from all kinds of curses—and into eternal life in Him. “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.” 1 John 3:14. This has been settled once and for all: We know that we have passed from death to life! And why did they know it? They knew it because they loved the brethren. That is love, the love of Christ that accomplishes such great things. And how does this compare to the reality of what we generally see and hear? “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:10. If we had first loved God, it would not be an explanation of what love is; but the fact that God loved us while we were sinners acting against His will, this explains what love is. “For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?” Matt. 5:46. Moreover, the fact that we love one another just as we are is such a powerful testimony that it is confirmation to us that we have passed from death to life. As natural human beings we all react differently to situations, and this can cause all kinds of difficulties until we receive love, because love bears all things, endures all things, believes all things, and hopes all things, both when it concerns us and when it concerns others. Difficulties vanish! Hallelujah! A mother’s love can accomplish much, but it does not deliver her from death, because it is motivated by the will of man. “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” 1 Cor. 13:3. All such actions are linked to the will of man and therefore profit me nothing. Therefore Jesus says, “I can of Myself do nothing.” John 5:30. We must learn to hear the Spirit’s voice and act accordingly, for what we do of ourselves profits us nothing. Many people live their lives in anguish and pain because of how others behave. That is what it means to be in death, and in that state people hope that the other person will eventually change for the better. It is a vain hope. On the other hand, by humbling ourselves we can receive God’s grace to love everyone, just as they are. Then the anguish is gone, and is replaced by rest and blessedness. What has happened? We have received love for our wretched fellow men who were so nasty before but who now appear in a completely different light. Now you actually believe that you experience oneness! “As gold in the furnace has He tried them, and received them as a burnt offering.” Wis. of Sol. 3:6 [Apocrypha].Andreas Nilsen