Perfect love...

The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. – Romans 5:5
 
When we attempt in our own efforts to produce the love of God, we cannot. It can only originate in Him, for He is love. And His love is able to love our neighbor as our self. His love is able to love our enemies and pray for those who hurt us. His love covers a multitude of sin. Oh, my friends, God’s love is powerful. It is life. And we can experience it, live in it, be saturated with it, and have it overflow onto others. I know this, because I have experienced it. I am experiencing it right now. As I turned my heart, my desires, my focus on Him this morning; He began to fill me to overflowing. What a blessed reality. What a complete freedom. Perfect love (and His love is so perfect) casts out all fear. Don’t focus on your sin or your shortcomings today. Yes, confess your sins and turn from them. But focus on His love. He loves you so much. He wants to wrap you in His embrace. He’ll keep you safe. He’ll give you peace through any storm. In His love, you can face the mountain of bills, your past mistakes, your current struggles, your difficult marriage, your wayward children, your responsibilities and obligations that seem overwhelming. In his love, you can face death without fear. The first commandment is Love the Lord your God. It is not some authoritarian dictate demanding that you bow to his selfish will. It is an invitation to enter into the realm of His love. I have tasted of His love and therein are rivers of delight. Come, my friends… taste and see that the Lord is good. Love the Lord your God with all of your being… it is the most blessed ecstasy. It is complete freedom and peace and joy. It is a taste, right here and now, of eternity.