A Valentine's Day Thought
A man once asked Jesus this question, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments.'" Matthew 22:36-40.
Every time I come across these commandments, found in both the Old and New Testaments, I tend to feel convicted. I can relate to Peter when Jesus pointedly asked him? "...do you love me?..." John 2:16. This was after Peter had denied Jesus three times. Peter answered, "...Yes, Lord, you know that I love you..." I have heard it taught that when translated into English, Jesus' question and Peter's answer both contain the word "love," but in the original Greek, it would have read like this: "...do you agape (unconditional love) me?..." Peter answered, "...Yes, Lord, you know that I phileo (have affection for, friendship) you." The cross made Peter keenly aware of the chasm between his love for Christ, and Christ's love for him. I, too, am keenly aware of that chasm. I often tell the Lord I view his love for me as the sun, and my love for Him as the flame from a match. There is really no comparison. I see God's creation and am in awe of Him. I enjoy my blessings, and am thankful to Him, but love Him, and love Him with all of my heart, soul, and mind? I can honestly say this: I want to.
Thank God that He knows what is in man (John 2:25), and He remembers that we are dust (Psalm 103:14); therefore out of His great mercy He transfers His agape love to us, in order that we might fulfill the required commandments. "...God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Romans 5:5. Love in my heart is not based primarily on feelings, but on faith in the fact of what He has done. I shouldn't be preoccupied with my feelings, but His faithfulness.
I have a confession to make. I used to be judgmental when I would read the Apostle John's description of himself as "the one Jesus loved," It seemed a bit egotistical to me. Over the years, through personal study, and hearing teaching about this, I have changed my mind. It appears that John was so amazed by Jesus' love for him, that he could identify himself no other way. He wasn't saying he was the only one Jesus loved, or the one Jesus loved best. He just knew himself, and couldn't get over the measure of love Jesus had for him. In 1 John 4:19, he states this fact: "We love Him, because He first loved us." As beautiful, wonderful, holy, and majestic as God is, we wouldn't love Him if He hadn't given us the capacity to. It seems that John is espousing a truth that he personally experienced. Should it come as a surprise to us that this one who basked in the revelation of Christ's love, received further revelation of Him. It is found in the final book he penned. It sounds simplistic, but perhaps the best way to love God more, is to think more on God's love.
Every time I come across these commandments, found in both the Old and New Testaments, I tend to feel convicted. I can relate to Peter when Jesus pointedly asked him? "...do you love me?..." John 2:16. This was after Peter had denied Jesus three times. Peter answered, "...Yes, Lord, you know that I love you..." I have heard it taught that when translated into English, Jesus' question and Peter's answer both contain the word "love," but in the original Greek, it would have read like this: "...do you agape (unconditional love) me?..." Peter answered, "...Yes, Lord, you know that I phileo (have affection for, friendship) you." The cross made Peter keenly aware of the chasm between his love for Christ, and Christ's love for him. I, too, am keenly aware of that chasm. I often tell the Lord I view his love for me as the sun, and my love for Him as the flame from a match. There is really no comparison. I see God's creation and am in awe of Him. I enjoy my blessings, and am thankful to Him, but love Him, and love Him with all of my heart, soul, and mind? I can honestly say this: I want to.
Thank God that He knows what is in man (John 2:25), and He remembers that we are dust (Psalm 103:14); therefore out of His great mercy He transfers His agape love to us, in order that we might fulfill the required commandments. "...God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Romans 5:5. Love in my heart is not based primarily on feelings, but on faith in the fact of what He has done. I shouldn't be preoccupied with my feelings, but His faithfulness.
I have a confession to make. I used to be judgmental when I would read the Apostle John's description of himself as "the one Jesus loved," It seemed a bit egotistical to me. Over the years, through personal study, and hearing teaching about this, I have changed my mind. It appears that John was so amazed by Jesus' love for him, that he could identify himself no other way. He wasn't saying he was the only one Jesus loved, or the one Jesus loved best. He just knew himself, and couldn't get over the measure of love Jesus had for him. In 1 John 4:19, he states this fact: "We love Him, because He first loved us." As beautiful, wonderful, holy, and majestic as God is, we wouldn't love Him if He hadn't given us the capacity to. It seems that John is espousing a truth that he personally experienced. Should it come as a surprise to us that this one who basked in the revelation of Christ's love, received further revelation of Him. It is found in the final book he penned. It sounds simplistic, but perhaps the best way to love God more, is to think more on God's love.
