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Baptism of Love
I believe that everything was created for love. If you take away love from the equation, what you’ll get is nothing less than the perversion of God’s original design. Yes, God’s original plan prominently displays love because He is love. Nonetheless, sin came into the world, and the command to rule and reign was perverted, bringing instead slavery, exploitation, and destruction. Check your local newspaper, and you’ll find the effect of love’s absence.
Moreover, without an encounter with the God of love, we are driven to perform. The Apostle Peter is the best example of a performance-oriented follower of Christ. Yet his desire to follow could not be sustained. Performance requires power, but power is not the only thing we need in life and ministry. Peter was disillusioned by the lack of power, especially on the night of the crucifixion when, to him, Jesus appeared weak.
Peter was not the first person to be confused in regard to the mission plan of God on this earth. John the Baptist was on the same hallowed ground as Jesus when he baptized Him in the Jordan River and heard the same voice that said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). Yet John the Baptist did not expect such tender words. We need to understand that before Jesus revealed Himself, John was busy preaching a message of judgement. He was passionate in reiterating, “The ax is already at the root of the trees,” and we can just imagine how terrifying his message sounded to his listeners.
As a forerunner and primary messenger, John the Baptist expected God to back him up in regard to his pronouncement. Instead, he was given a front-row seat to witness an affectionate moment between the father and his son. We too need our Father’s embrace, just as Jesus did when he received His baptism of Love. However, we need not stand in the Jordan River to know our Father’s embrace. It is available to us right now where we are.
Moreover, without an encounter with the God of love, we are driven to perform. The Apostle Peter is the best example of a performance-oriented follower of Christ. Yet his desire to follow could not be sustained. Performance requires power, but power is not the only thing we need in life and ministry. Peter was disillusioned by the lack of power, especially on the night of the crucifixion when, to him, Jesus appeared weak.
Peter was not the first person to be confused in regard to the mission plan of God on this earth. John the Baptist was on the same hallowed ground as Jesus when he baptized Him in the Jordan River and heard the same voice that said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). Yet John the Baptist did not expect such tender words. We need to understand that before Jesus revealed Himself, John was busy preaching a message of judgement. He was passionate in reiterating, “The ax is already at the root of the trees,” and we can just imagine how terrifying his message sounded to his listeners.
As a forerunner and primary messenger, John the Baptist expected God to back him up in regard to his pronouncement. Instead, he was given a front-row seat to witness an affectionate moment between the father and his son. We too need our Father’s embrace, just as Jesus did when he received His baptism of Love. However, we need not stand in the Jordan River to know our Father’s embrace. It is available to us right now where we are.
120 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 12, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 8, 2020
A Must-Read for the Love-Starved Generations
In the age of #lovewins, this book is a powerful reminder of what it means to be loved--deeply, powerfully, and unconditionally--in a way that we all yearn for. It reaches into the depths of our desire as children of God to grasp and abide in our Abba Father's love. I was moved to tears even by the yearning to know Him deeper and to soak in His powerful, transforming love. TRUE LOVE WINS.
In the age of #lovewins, this book is a powerful reminder of what it means to be loved--deeply, powerfully, and unconditionally--in a way that we all yearn for. It reaches into the depths of our desire as children of God to grasp and abide in our Abba Father's love. I was moved to tears even by the yearning to know Him deeper and to soak in His powerful, transforming love. TRUE LOVE WINS.
August 1, 2024
Simple read, big impact. He breaks down Jesus’ baptism and how most talk only of the baptism of water and Spirit, but there was a third element and that was the Father love.
January 30, 2021
For All Who Are Thirsty
This book is for all who are thirsty. It will bless you and fill you. Leif Hetland’s sermons and books have the same Holy Spirit power. The love of the Father always flows through Hetland. I was so blessed to read this book. Thank you God for this blessed revelation.
This book is for all who are thirsty. It will bless you and fill you. Leif Hetland’s sermons and books have the same Holy Spirit power. The love of the Father always flows through Hetland. I was so blessed to read this book. Thank you God for this blessed revelation.
May 21, 2017
A must read book.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews