‘Called to Love’ – A Book About Christian Love by Jim Sanderson

Every day the world seems to be just a little crazier than it was only the day before.  Each news article or television broadcast leaves us shaking our heads and wondering "What’s next?"  Fortunately for Christians there is a gold standard to live by – the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12) – "Do to others as you would have them do to you."  And now there’s a new book out that’s good as Christian gold – ‘Called To Love’.  This trim book is short, direct, and simple; yet it’s weighty in the wisdom of Christian love.
   
When asked which was the greatest commandment in the law (Matthew 22:36), Jesus replied, "’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it:  ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  All of the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."  And indeed they do hang on these two commandments which are, really, one.  How neatly these passages tie into passages from the Gospel of Mark (12:1-34) and Luke (10:25-28), which then leads into the parable of the good Samaritan.
   
By beginning with a study of God’s greatest commandment, author Jim Sanderson discovers a common thread that runs throughout the New Testament, while remaining grounded in the Old Testament texts as well.  In the letter of 1 John it is revealed that God is love.  In the Beatitudes are found the nature of love; and in 1 Corinthians 13 there are the qualities of love.  The letter of James calls us to put love into action. 1 Peter shows us how to humble ourselves so that our love of self does not eclipse our love of God and others.  The story of the cross reveals a suffering love and redemptive death.  With these and many other ready illustrations we see how we are called to Christian love.
   
Author Jim Sanderson and his wife Nancy have been in mission among the poor adn homeless in their community for over eight years.  Through their work at the soup kitchen, the homeless shelter, and their outdoor worship services in the mountains, they have seen the love of Jesus at work in the lives of others. "We have seen many miracles of transformation as people turn away from drugs and alcohol addictions, or other destructive behaviors, to a new life in Jesus Christ," Sanderson says.  "As our work continues, we would like to share the genuine power of Christian love with other believers.  That is what led me to write this book."
   
Jim Sanderson, author of ‘Called To Love’ – A Book About Christian Love. See it at www.calledtolove.com