Love is a choice--ultimately of the will. Yes, feelings are sometimes associated with love, but true, unconditional love is a decision. We choose to whom or what we will give our love. This pure form of love can only come from its source--God Himself. And as I think about it, it seems that His love is most clearly seen through us when He calls us to love the unlovely--just as He did us, sending His own Son to die when we were yet His enemies.
By His love, He provided a way for us to be free from the bondage of sin--namely Christ. He did not do this because He really loves everything we do and thinks we are really "cool." It was His act, based upon His love, to cleanse us for Himself. Paul says it this way, "Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works." (Titus 2:14)
It is He who redeems and purifies. It is for His glory that we are made righteous--to make His name famous. We just have to get out of the way, lay our selfish wills down, and allow Him to work in and through us by the healing power of His Spirit. Die daily, as Paul says. This is the life that will satisfy the very depths of our being. Life is in Him.
No comments:
Post a Comment