God Is Love

by Charles Laws

In I John 4:17 we read the most profound three word statement in the Bible: “God is Love.” We all know this but do we really know what it means? Here we shall look at this statement and see what it really means. It is amazing how many doors this single statement unlocks and how many questions it answers. Among the doors it unlocks, is an explanation of creation. Why would He create a world which was to bring him nothing but trouble? The answer is that creation was essential to his very nature! By his very nature He could not live in lonely isolation. Love must have someone to love and someone to love it back.

John 1:3 reads, “All things were made through Him, and without Him was nothing made that was made.” So God created man and woman to love and to love Him back! In fact, God created not only man (Adam) and woman (Eve), but in the beginning he created an entire universe to love and love Him back! God created a beautiful garden. In the garden there was one tree that God told Adam and Eve not to eat of. As we know the serpent (Satan) tempted them to eat from this tree. Symbolically this represents disobedience to God. They sinned against God and were thrown out of the garden. A curse was placed upon God’s creation and a veil was placed between God and man! God loved not only Adam and Eve, but His entire creation as well!

Man tried to appease God by making animal sacrifices. (See the book of Leviticus) and various passages throughout the prophets. However, the animal sacrifices did not appease God. We read in Isaiah 1:11, “What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices, says the Lord. I have had enough of the burnt offerings of rams and fat of well fed beasts. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats.” God’s love for His creation is revealed in Jesus Christ. The love of God us a love which holds nothing back. In His love for men and women and his entire creation, God was prepared to give His only Son and

make a sacrifice beyond which no sacrifice can go.

In Luke 23:44, we read of the death of Jesus. “It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed and the curtain of the temple was torn in two.” Now we see it! The veil between God and man has been removed. We now have access to God again. Praise be to God!

About The Author Charles Laws, Retired Assoc. Prof. of Mathematics, CLSCC. He holds B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Tennessee. He enjoys chess, writing, walking, and music.

BOOK AREAS: ADVERTISER NAME: ❑ Ad is approved ❑ Ad is approved with changes ❑ Ad is not approved make changes indicated SIGNATURE PLEASE SIGN YOUR PROOF AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION Office Use Only ?EMAS DATC NUMBER: SALES REP: EDITION NAME: Editing Artist: Creating Artist: Computer: CATEGORY: New Advertiser 2014 v2 This is your only ad proof. Please review this ad carefully as it will be printed as it missed by you on this proof will not release you from any liabilities from the Magazine Publisher. Color and position of ad or page placement is not guaranteed. Ads with coupons may have coupon placement not received this proof back within two days, the ad will be printed as shown here. m TCchanged to fit the pagination of the book. If the Magazine Publisher has ISSUE DATE: Josh 4197WR Y 1100182 Mint Magazine 00718-07-15 00718  CHATTANOOGACLEVELAND, TN MINT 8/17 Helping Hands Of Cleveland #339131 Medical & Dental:Health Care Services josh Josh’s iMac BOOK AREAS: ADVERTISER NAME: ❑ Ad is approved ❑ Ad is approved with changes ❑ Ad is not approved make changes indicated SIGNATURE PLEASE SIGN YOUR PROOF AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION Office Use Only ?EMAS DATC NUMBER: SALES REP: EDITION NAME: Editing Artist: Creating Artist: Computer: CATEGORY: New Advertiser 2014 v2 This is your only ad proof. Please review this ad carefully as it will be printed as it missed by you on this proof will not release you from any liabilities from the Magazine Publisher. Color and position of ad or page placement is not guaranteed. Ads with coupons may have coupon placement not received this proof back within two days, the ad will be printed as shown here. m TCchanged to fit the pagination of the book. If the Magazine Publisher has ISSUE DATE: Josh 4197WR Y 1100182 Mint Magazine 00718-07-15 00718  CHATTANOOGACLEVELAND, TN MINT 8/17 Helping Hands Of Cleveland #339131 Medical & Dental:Health Care Services josh Josh’s iMac BOOK AREAS: ADVERTISER NAME: ❑ Ad is approved ❑ Ad is approved with changes ❑ Ad is not approved make changes indicated PLEASE SIGN YOUR PROOF AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION Office Use Only ?EMAS DATC NUMBER: SALES REP: EDITION NAME: Creating Artist: CATEGORY: New Advertiser 2014 v2 This is your only ad proof. Please review this ad carefully as it will be printed as it missed by you on this proof will not release you from any liabilities from the Magazine Publisher. Color and position of ad or page placement is not guaranteed. Ads with coupons may have coupon placement not received this proof back within two days, the ad will be printed as shown here. m TCchanged to fit the pagination of the book. If the Magazine Publisher has ISSUE DATE: Josh 4197WR Y 1100182 Mint Magazine 00718-07-15 00718  CHATTANOOGACLEVELAND, TN MINT 8/17 Helping Hands Of Cleveland #339131 Medical & Dental:Health Care Services BOOK AREAS: ADVERTISER NAME: Ad is approved ❑ Ad is approved with changes ❑ Ad is not approved make changes indicated SIGNATURE PLEASE SIGN YOUR PROOF AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION Office Use Only ?EMAS DATC NUMBER: SALES REP: EDITION NAME: Editing Artist: Creating Artist: Computer: Modification Date: CATEGORY: New Advertiser 2014 v2 This is your only ad proof. Please review this ad carefully as it will be printed as it missed by you on this proof will not release you from any liabilities from the Magazine Publisher. Color and position of ad or page placement is not guaranteed. Ads with coupons may have coupon placement not received this proof back within two days, the ad will be printed as shown here. m TCchanged to fit the pagination of the book. If the Magazine Publisher has ISSUE DATE: Josh 4197WR Y 1100182 Mint Magazine 00718-07-15 00718  CHATTANOOGACLEVELAND, TN MINT 8/17 Helping Hands Of Cleveland #339131 Medical & Dental:Health Care Services josh Josh’s iMac August 17, 2015 10:21 AM Office: 423.790.3500 Cell: 423.303.9673 www.puroclean.com/ppde-tn Charles Atkins, Owner 10+ Years Experience 24 HOURS / 7 DAYS EMERGENCY SERVICE BENEFITS OF CRAWLSPACE ENCAPSULATION • INCREASE AIR QUALITY OF HOME • REDUCE CHANCES OF MOLD & MILDEW • LESS CREEPY CRAWLERS LIKE SPIDERS, SNAKES, & RODENTS Benefits Of The Dry Crawl Encapsulation: • Improve The Air Quality Of Your Home • Save 15-20% On Energy Costs • Stop Moisture From Passing Through The Floor • Avoid Mold & Structural Damage • Increase The Value Of Your Home CRAWLSPACE ENCAPSULATION EMAN TNIRP EMAN TNIRP SIGNATURE EMAN TNIRP WATER ETAD ETAD ETAD FIRE FILE NAME: Modification Date: 1100182_718.07.15 Helping Hands 1.2 August 17, 2015 10:21 AM FILE NAME: Modification Date: 1100182_718.07.15 Helping Hands 1.2 August 17, 2015 10:21 AM Editing Artist: Computer: Modification Date: josh Josh’s iMac August 17, 2015 10:21 AM FILE NAME: 1100182_718.07.15 Helping Hands 1.2 BIOHAZARDMOLD EMAN TNIRP ETAD FILE NAME: 1100182_718.07.15 Helping Hands 1.2

Your Companion In Care Your Companion In Care Candies Get out of the same old routine and discover a new adventure. Life from a new perspective Get out of the same old routine and discover a new adventure. Your Companion In Care Your Companion In Care We offer services to keep you healthy and active. Creek

• In- & Out-patient Rehabilitation • Specialized Therapy Programs • State-of-the-Art Equipment

• Skilled & Intermediate Care

SENIOR CARE SERVICES • Personal Care Support SENIOR CARE SERVICES • Personal Care Support A Christ-Centered Classical Education SENIOR CARE SERVICES • Personal Care Support • Fair Rates and No Contracts SENIOR CARE SERVICES • Personal Care Support • Fair Rates and No Contracts NOW AVAILABLE SIMPLY SOUTHERN & Locally Owned & Operated 423-476-3312 60 25th St. NW Suite 3 Cleveland, TN www.clevelandhelpinghands.com • Fair Rates and No Contracts • Customized Hours and Care Locally Owned & Operated 423-476-3312 60 25th St. NW Suite 3 Cleveland, TN www.clevelandhelpinghands.com • Fair Rates and No Contracts • Customized Hours and Care Enrolling K4-12th 2016-2017 2017-2018 Locally Owned & Operated 423-476-3312 60 25th St. NW Suite 3 Cleveland, TN www.clevelandhelpinghands.com • Customized Hours and Care Helping Hands of Cleveland 60 25th Street NW, Ste. 3 Cleveland, TN 37311 423-476-3312 Helping Hands of Athens 2314 Congress Parkway South Athens, TN 37303 423-405-5913 Locally Owned & Operated 423-476-3312 60 25th St. NW Suite 3 Cleveland, TN www.clevelandhelpinghands.com • Customized Hours and Care SOUTHERN COUTURE TEES! 25% Off ONE T-SHIR T AT REGULAR PRICE 294 Old Eureka Rd., Charleston, TN 37310 Cannot Be Combined With Any Other Offers. Expires: 06-01-17 “Our help comes from The LORD, which made Heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:2 “Our help comes from The LORD, which made Heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:2 1. (423) 790-5660 candiescreekacademy.com 51295 423-745-8181 | LCCA.com 1234 Frye St. | Athens, TN 37303 Joint Commission accredited “Our help comes from The LORD, which made Heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:2 “Our help comes from The LORD, which made Heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:2 BRADLEY SQUARE MALL | 423.790.5222