“Learning to Love Without a Cause”
July 14th, 2018
Proverbs 29:21
He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.
Another way of translating this passage:
One who is diligently careful in raising up a young child even though for a time is His servant, in the end, the Owner/Maker shall embrace him as His own son.
Galatians 4
1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
I greatly aspire to learn the type of love that our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus display upon us and more pointedly, upon me! Loving others without expectations of any reward.
How can the Lord, the Creator of the universe see my every sin, observe my constant weakness and my, at many times, utter stupidity? Or why would God even choose a man such as myself. Certainly this is the Love that surpasses anything we can imagine.
How does God view these inconsistencies, these failures of character and still forgive us each time and continue to love us? What kind of love is this?
While we know He sees the end from the beginning, our human minds simply are not capable of wrapping around and comprehending His long-suffering love. How does He continue to overlook our inadequacies?
Am about to share what was once a very painful and very personal life story. I was married for 18-years to one in whom I thought we would be together for the rest of our lives.
During our marriage, we both gave our hearts and lives to Jesus. Later we received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit approximately at the same time. We worked hard, attended Church, read our Bibles and loved the Lord and did all we could to live the life of faith. And while there were many good times to be remembered, there were also an equal period of time when things were very difficult.
The reason for sharing all of this is the following. Even though it ended tragically, it taught me a very profound concept that I was not familiar. Many times and more often than not, we learn a great deal more in times of suffering than those in blessings. Many years ago, I heard the Lord say the following,
“In the midst of affliction, there is great blessing”.
Even if it were possible to go back in time and change decisions and simply choose Not to have married and thereby avoid the pain and the seemingly wasted 18-years, I would not change a single thing except for the ending of the story.
You see, I learned or at least I was introduced to how to love without a cause. It was the beginning of learning to love others without any expectation of a reward. This is the type of love the Lord Jesus displays upon us each moment of our existence.
For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. Luke 6:32
If we, those of faith, are showing our love only to those who love us, we are doing exactly what those of no faith are doing. While this may seem convenient, loving only those who love and agree with us does not reveal the love of God as it was intended.
He who has placed such a gift of beauty within us, He expects us to be His heart and His hands to those who do not know Him regardless of their views. Everywhere we look, we see near anarchy and sedition among those whom we view as hate mongers.
Unfortunately, these chaotic days will only increase and the political climate will only grow worse so this is to be expected. If we Believers do not begin to come to a place where we can still show His love and overcome evil with good, we will lose the battle and many will be lost.
How will they come to know Him? Why should we withhold this love of God from them, it is much like a selfish servant. Jesus said, “freely you have received, freely give.”
True love does not come by way of our own desires. It comes only through the Spirit who enables us. We do not just intermingle with others hoping the love of God will permeate from and spill over from our beings on to others. Love is not given or shown from without but from within.
This love will come only as we commune with the Lord and yield to the Spirit. Being in love, consumes the lovers. It becomes an active part of your conscience; it determines your words and your actions. It changes your personality. It removes selfishness. It softens a hard heart; love changes a stubborn mind and makes your countenance a thing of beauty. There is nothing on earth akin to the feeling of loving some one.
It is our time alone with Him that will consume us with this wonderful love. His love is conveyed to us in so many ways. And even all of nature is groaning in it’s waiting upon the sons of God to manifest. Each day He prepares for you a multitude of unseen blessings. Only if they were absent would you even acknowledge them.
Our eye has not seen, nor our ear heard nor has our mind conceived those things He has planned for us who love Him however by His Spirit we do have knowledge of His marvelous gifts.
We cannot give what we do not have. As we sit in His presence and give Him our time and attention, we receive an over abundance of His love. We then begin to experience more than all the love needed for those around us.
Every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of Lights and His love is displayed through us as it was intended, unconditional and liberally to All.
Let your light (your love) so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matt 5:16
Blessings to you and your house,
Steve Grable
Jeremiah111.org