Skip to main content

Because He First Loved Us


We love because he first loved us. (I John 4:19)

          How arrogant to think that we are incapable of love until or unless God shows us how to do it! Love is a natural thing. Even Atheists do it. I can hear the arguments against this passage, and I recognize most of that argument to be faulty, but behind it, there’s a complaint that I have to acknowledge. It’s difficult to accept the notion that one is entirely depraved apart from God, completely worthless. I believe that our depravity – left to ourselves – is exactly that, but I want to put that argument aside for a moment. 
          This morning, as read this passage, I realized that we don’t have to be depraved and worthless in for this statement to be absolutely, completely, and literally true. It was a minor epiphany. He created us. That was an act of love on His part that took place before we could possibly have loved. We have to have a self before the self can do something. He created us in His image. He is love, so yes, it’s natural that we should at least have the capacity to love. But He didn’t have to create us in His image. There is no Scriptural indication that He created anything else in the same way. He chose to do so, because He loved us.
          Some may complain that animals are capable of love. That makes perfect sense as well. They were also created by a God who is love. They love because He first loved them, as well.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ssssssubmmissssssionnn

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ . (Ephesians 5:21)             "Ssssssubmmisssssssionnn." Can't you just hear the serpent hissing this most horrible of words? If you listen to the serpent or the world, submission means groveling, allowing yourself to be abused, denying yourself your own humanity. Nothing could be worse than submission, could it?             Submission has never been a problem for me, as long as things are going the way I want them to. The rest of the time? Well, let's just say that while I don't know how to fight physically, I don't know how to not fight mentally. One of the fights I've been having with myself for years is about submission.             My first breakthrough took place on a trip to a bookstore. As I walked into the store, my thoughts were very clear. 1) I was goi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Shark Fins, Triple Dog Dares, Heroes, Villains and Sidekicks

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)            There's a scene in Jaws in which someone sees a shark fin and starts a panic. As   all the swimmers scramble to shore, boats surround the fin, which falls over to reveal two kids. With several guns pointed at them, one of the kids points at the other. The message is clear: it was his idea. In Christmas Story, there's a scene in which one kid "triple dog dares" another to do something stupid. Since it's a triple dog dare, well, what choice does the boy have? There doesn't seem to be any end to the trouble that peer pressure can cause. ...
Post a Comment
Read more