Post by Betty on Mar 20, 2005 6:49:20 GMT -5
Beloved, Christ teaches that there is a difference between Divine Love and human love.
Human love depends upon the one who is loved. If one meets our needs, if we find them attractive, and if our personalities are compatible, we will love. Understandably, human love changes, "You're not the one I married!" Couples shout at one another giving this rationale for a divorce.
In contrast, divine love depends upon the one who is doing the loving: divine love says I can go on loving even if one has stopped loving us. Divine love is based on a decision that continues even if the one who is loved changes. Divine love says, "You cannot make me stop loving you."
Now, let us take a look at the Lord's words: "But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (Luke 6:27-28) This kind of love even loves enemies. And if we want to know whether such tough love will really be worth the cost, Meshiach continues, "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil man." (Luke 6:46) Your reward will be great!
So often we have prayed, "Oh, God, make me godly." We want so much to be like Messiah. Then God sends a difficult person into our life – perhaps a quarrelsome co-worker, or a difficult family member – and we complain, insisting that He remove the thorn from me. But trials such as these are given to us to make us godly. Can you relate?
We all may have heard it from Messiah, Christ, Himself. "Your reward will be great!"
The decision is ours, beloved, shall we follow Him Whom we love?
Erwin W. Lutzer
Human love depends upon the one who is loved. If one meets our needs, if we find them attractive, and if our personalities are compatible, we will love. Understandably, human love changes, "You're not the one I married!" Couples shout at one another giving this rationale for a divorce.
In contrast, divine love depends upon the one who is doing the loving: divine love says I can go on loving even if one has stopped loving us. Divine love is based on a decision that continues even if the one who is loved changes. Divine love says, "You cannot make me stop loving you."
Now, let us take a look at the Lord's words: "But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (Luke 6:27-28) This kind of love even loves enemies. And if we want to know whether such tough love will really be worth the cost, Meshiach continues, "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil man." (Luke 6:46) Your reward will be great!
So often we have prayed, "Oh, God, make me godly." We want so much to be like Messiah. Then God sends a difficult person into our life – perhaps a quarrelsome co-worker, or a difficult family member – and we complain, insisting that He remove the thorn from me. But trials such as these are given to us to make us godly. Can you relate?
We all may have heard it from Messiah, Christ, Himself. "Your reward will be great!"
The decision is ours, beloved, shall we follow Him Whom we love?
Erwin W. Lutzer
