Excerpt

[John 10:17-18] For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. "No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father."
In God's universe everything has a reason, just as in the Holy Land every city, town and village bears a meaningful name; like Capernaum (Kfar Nahum) or Gethsemane (Gath Shmani). One means the Village of Nahum and the other Garden of the Oil Press. Solomon (Shlomo), his name actually means peace and as his name was so was he. Samuel (Shmuel) means, let us hear God. Jerusalem (Yerushalaim or Ir Shalom) means, the city of peace, etc. Therefore in the above sentence we see that there was a reason why the Father loves His Son; and the reason was that Ben Adam the Son of Man was going to do something completely on His own. "Because I lay down My life… but I lay it down on My own initiative." The Ben Elohim, the Son of God was completely subordinated to the Father and could not do anything of Himself, or on His own initiative. (John 5:19; 30) But when it came to loving you and me the Ben Adam subdued his pride and already then crucified his ego, for you and me; and willingly laid down His life.
Jesus received a commandment, which He chose to obey, all on His own, without compulsion. God hates even your tithe or offering when given under pressure or religious obligatory pressure. Moses was commanded to take up an offering for the Lord to build the tabernacle, but He was specific about how to raise it; only from those whose hearts moved to give, willingly and joyfully. In the same way Apostle Paul said that giving under compulsion, (2 Corinthians 9:7) like after a long fund-raising pitch, is not pleasing to the Lord. What's missing? The residential in our hearts love. Love is the motive behind any good deed for the Lord and His kingdom. Therefore, God looks for that residential love in our hearts, which is always mixed with faith.
In the last days love will grow cold, scripture says. (Matthew 24:12) And in Luke 18:8 Jesus said, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth? Love will grow cold and faith will be hard to find, for faith abides with love.

» READ THE ENTIRE TRACT