What’s Love Got to Do With It?
Posted on July 7, 2016 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters
“But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
Recently, I asked a question in a Bible study; what does the cross mean to you? I received answers like propitiation, redemption, forgiveness, death, life, shame, penalty punishment, but the ironic thing never once love was mentioned. Love is a mysterious word that we throw around with empty meaning. Here is how some describe it!
“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Where there is love there is life.” Mahatma Gandhi
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Jesus Christ
“Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.” Alfred Lord Tennyson
“Loving others always costs us something and requires effort. And you have to decide to do it on purpose. You can’t wait for a feeling to motivate you.” Joyce Meyer
“It is love, not reason, that is stronger than death.” Thomas Mann
I usually challenge people, as well as myself, what does love really mean to them and how does that meaning tie into the Gospel.
It wasn’t the nails that kept Him on the cross, it was love. He has proven or established his level of commitment towards us in his relentless pursuit for our hearts. What’s love got do with it. The atonement’s ultimate cause is the love of God, the evidenced that the Son, separated from the Father, offered himself to appease His wrath. So, what does love got do with it? Love has everything to do with. Next time you use the word love see if it measures to how God understands it.
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13
Written by Juan Mendez: Juan is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a full time staff member at America’s Keswick.
The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 38; Proverbs 7
Daily Quote: “The trouble is that the whole “Accept Christ” attitude is likely to be wrong. It shows Christ applying to us rather than us to Him. It makes Him stand hat-in-hand awaiting our verdict on Him, instead of our kneeling with troubled hearts awaiting His verdict on us.”—A.W. Tozer
This Week’s Verse to Memorize:
For the mountains shall depart
And the hills be removed,
But My kindness shall not depart from you,
Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,”
Says the Lord, who has mercy on you. ~Isaiah 54:10
Want to get away & have dedicated time to read & learn God’s Word?
Consider a retreat at America’s Keswick retreat center.
