"Love is the best known but least understood of all God's attributes. Almost everyone who believes in God these days sees Him as a God of love. I have even met agnostics who are quite certain that if God exists, He must be benevolent, compassionate, and loving.
"All those things are infinitely true about God, of course, but not in the way most people think. Because of the influence of modern liberal theology, many suppose that God's love and goodness ultimately nullify His righteousness, justice, and holy wrath. They envision God as a benign heavenly grandfather-tolerant, affable, lenient, permissive, devoid of any real displeasure over sin, who without consideration of His holiness will benignly pass over sin and accept people as they are." John MacArthur, In Touch
"The eternal law of righteousness ordains that he who will not submit to God's sweet rule shall suffer the bitter tyranny of self. . . Wondrously and justly does that eternal law retain rebels in subjection, so that they are unable to escape." Bernard of Clairvaux, On Loving God
". . . but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful." Mark 4:19 (ESV)
ReplyDeleteIn many Western quarters, the world is holding the church at bay through intimidation and charges of arrogance in its message of the uniqueness of Jesus Christ. For some Christians their desire to get along and not rock the boat has choked out the Word they are called to proclaim with their lips and exhibit with their lives.
Father, help us to be courageous and steadfast as we live and proclaim the Gospel in truth and love, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen