The Love for God
11/04/10 17:05
Solomon
tells us that there are many men who claim that they
have unfailing love, but then he adds, “a
faithful man, who can find?” It isn’t
hard to see the insight that he is trying to teach us
here; anyone can say what they want about how much
they love this or that, but it’s actions that
speak louder than words.
In another place he says that all of man’s efforts are for his mouth, yet his appetite is never filled. Maybe man tries to convince himself that he has this unfailing love? I used to tell Robin all the time, just how much I loved her. At one point in our marriage it became evident that these were just words. I tried to convince her and myself that she meant more to me than anything on this earth. But my actions spoke otherwise; my eyes wandered beyond my own pasture, my mouth brought forth both fresh and salt water, and my heart was divided between her and (are you ready for this?)… me!
When I realized this for the first time, that I actually loved Robin because I loved me, I began to see where my actions were proving this ugly disclosure. I loved Robin because she loved me; for when I thought that her love waned, I quickly responded in like manner. If she snapped at me, I snapped back –and sometimes sharper and louder. If I thought she was slacking in her efforts to make our home pleasant, I was right there ready to accuse. What I realized was that as long as she made me happy, then I was ready to show the love that I thought I possessed.
Now, these things I have just admitted were present not only in my relationship with Robin but with everyone I interacted with. What is worse, I even brought it to the table when I became a Christian. (I didn’t discover this wickedness in me until after I became a Christian. It took God a number of years before He could get it through my thick scull, that I really thought of myself as somebody special.) I thought I loved God for Himself but I really loved Him because He loved me.
It was only after a long period of trial and wilderness, a time when God allowed me to walk on my faith without a special touch from His Presence that I realized that I just loved Him. Don’t misunderstand, I love the forgiveness of sins, the blessings He continues to bring, the providential care and protection and the promises that are “yes” and “amen.” And what is so amazing is that God had done these things and provided for me while I was yet His enemy.
Paul said that while were still sinners, Christ died for us –this is love! And so, it stands to reason, that in order for me (or you) to love God for Himself, we must love Him faithfully, even when things do not go our way.
Going back to Solomon’s inquiry for a faithful man, we find him when our eyes are fixed upon Jesus Christ. On the night Jesus was betrayed and handed over to be crucified, He told His disciples that the prince of this world (the devil) was coming to bring about the work of evil men. He let us know that the devil had no power over Him but the world must learn that He loved the Father and that He was going to do exactly what the Father commanded.
This is how we can know that we love God for Himself; when we can obey His Word through any circumstance and in every situation. This is love expressing itself through faith and this is the only thing that matters.
In another place he says that all of man’s efforts are for his mouth, yet his appetite is never filled. Maybe man tries to convince himself that he has this unfailing love? I used to tell Robin all the time, just how much I loved her. At one point in our marriage it became evident that these were just words. I tried to convince her and myself that she meant more to me than anything on this earth. But my actions spoke otherwise; my eyes wandered beyond my own pasture, my mouth brought forth both fresh and salt water, and my heart was divided between her and (are you ready for this?)… me!
When I realized this for the first time, that I actually loved Robin because I loved me, I began to see where my actions were proving this ugly disclosure. I loved Robin because she loved me; for when I thought that her love waned, I quickly responded in like manner. If she snapped at me, I snapped back –and sometimes sharper and louder. If I thought she was slacking in her efforts to make our home pleasant, I was right there ready to accuse. What I realized was that as long as she made me happy, then I was ready to show the love that I thought I possessed.
Now, these things I have just admitted were present not only in my relationship with Robin but with everyone I interacted with. What is worse, I even brought it to the table when I became a Christian. (I didn’t discover this wickedness in me until after I became a Christian. It took God a number of years before He could get it through my thick scull, that I really thought of myself as somebody special.) I thought I loved God for Himself but I really loved Him because He loved me.
It was only after a long period of trial and wilderness, a time when God allowed me to walk on my faith without a special touch from His Presence that I realized that I just loved Him. Don’t misunderstand, I love the forgiveness of sins, the blessings He continues to bring, the providential care and protection and the promises that are “yes” and “amen.” And what is so amazing is that God had done these things and provided for me while I was yet His enemy.
Paul said that while were still sinners, Christ died for us –this is love! And so, it stands to reason, that in order for me (or you) to love God for Himself, we must love Him faithfully, even when things do not go our way.
Going back to Solomon’s inquiry for a faithful man, we find him when our eyes are fixed upon Jesus Christ. On the night Jesus was betrayed and handed over to be crucified, He told His disciples that the prince of this world (the devil) was coming to bring about the work of evil men. He let us know that the devil had no power over Him but the world must learn that He loved the Father and that He was going to do exactly what the Father commanded.
This is how we can know that we love God for Himself; when we can obey His Word through any circumstance and in every situation. This is love expressing itself through faith and this is the only thing that matters.
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