Discipleship Encouragement and Correction, Doctrinal Teachings
Of Loving the Father
“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” 1 Corinthians 1:30
As much as I want to believe that I love the Lord my God with all my heart, mind, soul and might, the reality is if Christ was not my wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption, I’m only kidding myself. Such love cannot be sustained one day; much less than one hour before the flesh creeps in and proves my weakness. I could no more stay awake one hour than the disciples did on the night that Jesus was betrayed. To that end, I’m convinced that it was the disciple’s inability and weakness that night; as is true of my own infirmities, that Jesus knew the Father’s answer: The cup could not be removed. Three times He asked and returned to find the disciples sleeping. This, I find true everyday in my own life; which speaks to the necessity of Christ shedding His blood for me.
Indeed, if I were to say now that I love the Lord my God with all my heart, mind, soul and might, I acknowledge that it is with Christ’s heart, soul, mind and might that I do so. He alone perfects the imperfect; makes righteous the unholy; sanctifies the impure; and redeems those unworthy in their own standing. Once justified and regenerated; yes, I know I am called to grow in grace and to be holy as He is holy. Interestingly, this is something that God has taught me through the ebb and flow of my failures and His gracious recoveries. He is my breastplate of righteousness; faith, my helmet of salvation; His Word my sword. He is my intercessor, and through His Spirit, He communicates the will and purpose of God each passing day and hour. Christ alone is faithful and true. Am I saying I don’t have any affection for my Father, Lord and Savior? No; a sincere believer will acknowledge a reciprocal; although imperfect love! I do love Him and desire to love Him more each day! It’s just that in this life we face temptations and stumble; we often rely heavily on our emotions to prove to ourselves our love for Him… or we look upon our Savior; as did the disciples, in the dark of night and with tired eyes. Indeed, the Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.
O, if only beloved we can learn why the cup was necessary and give Him thanks! Let’s not look to ourselves for what qualifies us, but to Him! The Father so loved His Son that in His Son’s keeping all of the law (which included loving His Father with all of His heart, soul, mind and might) that Jesus made whole even the least of our questionable affections for our Father. How is this possible? Again, read 1 Corinthians 1:30.
