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Encircled With His Love, January 31
And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant
offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:2
, RSV.
The world that Satan has claimed and has ruled over with cruel tyranny, the Son
of God has, by one vast achievement, encircled in His love and connected again
with the throne of Jehovah. Cherubim and seraphim, and the unnumbered hosts
of all the unfallen worlds, sang anthems of praise to God and the Lamb when this
triumph was assured. They rejoiced that the way of salvation had been opened to
the fallen race and that the earth would be redeemed from the curse of sin. How
much more should those rejoice who are the objects of such amazing love!
How can we ever be in doubt and uncertainty, and feel that we are orphans?
It was in behalf of those who had transgressed the law that Jesus took upon Him
human nature; He became like unto us, that we might have everlasting peace and
assurance....
The very first step in approaching God is to know and believe the love that He
has to us (
1 John 4:16
); for it is through the drawing of His love that we are led to
come to Him.
The perception of God’s love works the renunciation of selfishness. In calling
God our Father, we recognize all His children as our brethren. We are all a part
of the great web of humanity, all members of one family. In our petitions we are
to include our neighbors as well as ourselves. No one prays aright who seeks a
blessing for himself alone.
The infinite God, said Jesus, makes it your privilege to approach Him by the
name of Father. Understand all that this implies. No earthly parents ever pleaded so
earnestly with an erring child as He who made you pleads with the transgressor. No
human, loving interest ever followed the impenitent with such tender invitations.
God dwells in every abode; He hears every word that is spoken, listens to every
prayer that is offered, tastes the sorrows and disappointments of every soul, regards
the treatment that is given to father, mother, sister, friend, and neighbor. He cares
for our necessities, and His love and mercy and grace are continually flowing to
satisfy our need.
But if you call God your Father you acknowledge yourselves His children, to
be guided by His wisdom and to be obedient in all things, knowing that His love
is changeless. You will accept His plan for your life. As children of God, you will
hold His honor, His character, His family, His work, as the objects of your highest
interest. It will be your joy to recognize and honor your relation to your Father and
to every member of His family. You will rejoice to do any act, however humble,
that will tend to His glory or to the well-being of your kindred (
Thoughts from the
Mount of Blessing, 104-106
).
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