April 28, 2019
I shared with the mid-week Bible Study group this week that as I was driving to study, I felt compelled to spend time in prayer. It was as if suddenly, I became very impressed to consider my love for the Lord.
The command…
Mark 12:30 (NASB)
30 AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.'
… became very pressing.
In its own fashion, that experience really set me back. I love my wife, I love my family, and yes, I do love my Lord… but I was forced to explore by what measurement? The verse tells us we’re to love Him “with all”. To me those words mean with my entirety. And in those next few moments of prayer, I found myself examining and asking. “How am I really supposed to comprehend that command?”
Am I really capable of loving anyone that thoroughly while influenced by this sin infested world? Let’s be honest, we can’t escape the constant bombardment of sin. In fact, not only can we not escape it, but we also have no reference point within our existence to identify what it would even be like to be absent of that influence. At least no more than we have a reference to understand what it would be like to be without God’s constant presence.
Yes, I know that someday I will live within that reference point when I am taken completely out of this sin influence. When I finally settle in for all eternity within the confines of a sinless environment. But what about now… the command addresses NOW! How do I know that I love Him that much?
So, I found myself metaphorically scratching head because I know that God never commands us to do something that He’s not prepared to equip us to accomplish. That’s why it’s important that as individuals, and a church body, we always rely on Him as our guide and seek His leadership.
It’s also vital to our spiritual and numerical growth that if we sense God’s movement or direction that we’re spiritually prepared to step out in faith and not hold God back. Remember, if you can accomplish something on your own (defined as without God’s intervention) there is really no faith required.
Given that, I found myself driving along engaged in a conversation with God where I confessed my short-comings and He impressed on my spirit what I should ask next. After all He promised…
Matthew 7:7 (NASB)
7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
So, I did… and He has… and the result was even more questions opened. Which would be frustrating if I was just seeking answers. But the truth is, what I was really seeking is a greater… deeper… more profound relationship with Him. And I am thoroughly convinced that in that, God revealed the answer to my prayer.
You see, because of that brief time, I am more than ever convinced that the greater… deeper… more profound my relationship with Him becomes the more I am able to see how His Love (which, by the way, makes may love pale in comparison) is the real measure within my soul. It’s not about me achieving some measurable love… it’s about His overwhelming immeasurable love. In that, I am humbled by gratitude… and love.
1 Peter 5:6 (NASB)
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,
Thank you for your faithfulness. Pastor Larry
