he Apostle Paul, in writing to the Galatians, in chapter 3, verse 15, said that he was going to them “after the manner of men.”

The Apostle Paul, in writing to the Galatians, in chapter 3, verse 15, said that he was going to them “after the manner of men.”  In other words, he was going to use common, everyday things of life as examples and illustrations to get his point across to them.  Sort of like Christ did with His parables.  By using these common things, it would help people to grasp, to understand, His message.  His lesson.

It’s also a method to which I subscribe.  I have no reservation about adopting Paul’s method of teaching and I use it most of the time.  Today is no different.  I’m going to address a couple of things absolutely relative and necessary to Christianity.  Those two things are: “faith” and “love.”

In speaking “after the manner of men” I’m going to use something so common that no one should miss the point.  The common thing of which I speak is - dogs.  For both of our subjects today, dogs are perfect for illustrating our lesson.  I love dogs (well, most of them anyway) so the first part of today’s lesson will be on “love.”

I hope that all of us know that “love” is an essential part of being a Christian.  A very short lesson in why that is can be seen in just a few verses, although many more could be cited.  To begin with the basics, in John 3:16 we see that God loved us so much that He sacrificed His own Son just so that we’d have a way of obtaining eternal life.

If He had that much “love” for us, then we’re supposed to have that same “love” for our brethren.  And, if we don’t, then we don’t have God with us. We see this pointed out in 1 John 4:7-8.

And, we’re also told that our “love” is to be a real “love” - a genuine “love.”  Romans 12:9 says that our “love” should be “without dissimulation.”  The Greek word there means sincere or not hypocritical.  It’s the same word used by Peter in 1 Pet. 1:22 when he says that a Christian’s “love” is to be “unfeigned.”  That it’s not to be a “put on.”

Well, how does a dog fit into these thoughts on “love?”  Simply in this way: I don’t believe there exists on earth a better example of sincere and “unfeigned love.”  A better example of “unconditional love” than can be seen in the love a dog has for it’s master.

Dogs don’t care how much money we have or don’t have.  They don’t care how big our house is, or even whether we have a house.  They don’t care what kind of car we drive.  (Mine doesn’t care as long as he gets to go for a ride every now and then).  And, they don’t care what color our skin is or our nationality.  Especially, they don’t care what gender we are. 

Dogs are the perfect antithesis of all the phobias of man.  I believe that God gave us dogs to show us what “unconditional love” - what “love without dissimulation” - truly is.  What sincere and “unfeigned love” looks like.  Now, let’s move on to the second half of our lesson - “faith.”  And again, our dogs can show us this “faith.”

We’ve all heard and read the passage found in Heb. 11:1 probably so many times that we can quote it.  “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  Just so that we truly understand what that verse is telling us we need to recognize that “substance” is from a word that means “a basis” or “a foundation.”  Something upon which something else rests.  And that “something else” is “hope” - the “unseen thing.” 

Thus “faith” is the “evidence” that supports our “hope.”  Our “belief” in the promises of God.  The Bible gives us a portrayal, IE: paints us a beautiful picture of heaven.  The place where God and Christ live.  Which, through “faith” and “hope” we can also live for eternity.

But, we don’t really know what it looks like, do we?  Basically, I guess that we could say that it’s a place that’s beautiful beyond our finite imagination.  But, there is one thing we do know and a little dog is going to show us this.  Will illustrate what “faith in action” truly is.

   A man, worried about his death, asked his doctor if he knew what lies on the other side?  The man was afraid of dying and he told the doctor so.  Instead of just answering him, the doctor’s response is what will illustrate our point here.

   The doctor told the man, “I don’t know.”  He then walked over to a door that obviously opened onto another room adjacent to the office and when he did, a dog ran into the room and leaped on the doctor with a great show of gladness and happiness.

   The doctor turned to his patient and said, “Did you notice that dog?  He has never been in this room before.  He did not know what was inside.  He knew nothing except that his master was here and when the door opened he sprang in without fear.  I know little of what is one the other side of death, but I do know one thing: I know my Master is there, and that is enough.  And when the door opens, I shall pass through with no fear, but with gladness.”

But, there’s one thing we have to remember.  In Luke 16:13 Christ says that a man “cannot serve two masters.”  If one is “served,” the other is not.  And, spiritually-speaking, we know who those two masters are, don’t we?  Consider this: when death’s door opens, both masters are on the other side.  One you will run to with joy and happiness and the other with great dread.  And that is determined by which master you chose to serve on this side of the door.  With that in mind, remember the words of Joshua in Jos. 24:15   “....choose you this day whom ye will serve.”  There’s no choosing after the door opens.

Respectfully submitted,

Ron Covey