“Behold, what manner (quality!) of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the children of God: therefore, the world does not recognize us, because it did not recognize Him” (1 John 3:1).
There is only one kind of love worth having – a love that loves with all the heart (affections), all the soul (attitudes), all the mind (decisions), all the strength (actions). This is the love of God toward us. And the call to love Him back with “all our heart, soul, mind, and strength” is a call to love Him as He loves us (Mark 12:30). That God would take sinners, and through the Cross lift us to become His family, to share His Home, His love, and His glory, is a love we never get over.
In return, the only love God will accept from us is a “wholehearted” love. And that’s not unreasonable, for none of us will accept anything less either. True love for Christ is zealous, always thoughtful of Him, choosing what delights Him, rejoicing in all that He is, and honored to carry His name and reputation wherever we go.
The Bible reveals a church (a group of people professing to love Him) whose love was lukewarm. He rejected it – and so would we. They were dutiful, but bored. There was no zeal, rejoicing, or thankfulness for His sacrificial love to save them at the Cross.
It is love that makes life worth living, and first and foremost, the love of God. God gave us life that we might experience His goodness and love forever. The Cross was to save us, to draw us to Himself, inviting us to eternal joys in His Banqueting House, where His banner over us is love. Hallelujah.
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