But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Growing up, my mother had an 8-track tape of the popular music icon Neil Diamond called “Hot August Night,” which was recorded live from the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, California. She played it over and over in her car, and many of the songs have become classic hits still popular today. In the later years of his career he wrote and performed a song titled “The Art of Love” in which Mr. Diamond sings: “love is not what you have, but what you give… And the art of love is who you share it with.”

I love these lyrics because they reflect the truth and blessing we enjoy as Christians. We have the unmerited, undeserved love of Jesus Christ within us. Forgiven and justified, washed and sanctified, we are His workmanship created for His glory. This is who we are in Christ as Christians. Filled with His love, to be seen and shared with others, such is our artistry of love. Love is to be given out in action, in words, in prayers, and in service to God.

My atonement and your atonement are the result of the giving of love from God and His Son Jesus Christ. It happened in one event, one moment when the price for sin was paid in full on the cross of Calvary some 2000 years ago. It was an unconditional atonement through an act of unconditional love, as Christ died for the ungodliness and sin in all of us. He died to save His enemies. Who does that? It was a divine, supernatural act of love, unmatched by anything.

God’s love is our power, beloved. In everything, consider yourself as an artist of love ready, willing, and able to share the Good News of the love of God through Christ Jesus His Son.

I’ll close with another story about a musical artist, Mary Martin, the Broadway star. She was about to go on stage for her performance in “South Pacific,” when a note was handed to her from the musical’s lyricist, Oscar Hammerstein who was on his deathbed at the time. The note stated: “Dear Mary, a bell is not a bell till you ring it. A song is not a song till you sing it. Love in your heart is not put there to stay. Love is not love till you give it away.”

By Pastor David Massie, friend of Bible League International, California U.S.