The Enigma of Love

(3-21-04)

Phil 1:3-11

          God is love. Is it right and fair to say that God is the highest expression of love? All humanity was fashioned in the likeness of God, therefore the second highest expression of love should be mankind. But man is fallen and marred and corrupted and polluted and so is his state of lovingness. In this fallen state humanity is only able to demonstrate or even understand love in a limited amount.

          Test this logic and see if it is true: if man is carnal and God is spiritual and an unspiritual man is not able to comprehend the higher spiritual truths, how can that same carnal man totally comprehend the one of the highest expressions of God, which is spiritual? (1Cor 2:14; Eph.3:17-19) When a person is born again of water and spirit their ability to understand is opened up or made possible.

          Does this rebirthing bring instant understanding? No! Maturity must be worked towards. (Heb.5:11-14; Eph.4:11ff) Even in matters of Love. In these last days this is a difficult matter because love is such an abused word. (both in concept and practice) (2Tim.3:1-5)

          Even though we do not receive instant maturity in matters of love we are called to instant responsibility, and accountability to love as Jesus and the Father love and have loved. (Jn.13:1,34; 15:9-17; Col.3:12-13) So what does love look like? (1Thes.2:8-12; 1Jn.4:10-5:5; 1Cor.131ff)

          Love is doing what is needed and what is best for someone else, even at the expense of our own selves. It seems that love when rightly done, costs. Even in such things as disciplining (Heb.12:4-11) love is paid in pain.