Scripture

We love, because He first loved us.

1 John 4:19, NASB

Quote

We were made, not primarily, to love God, but to be the objects of His divine love.

~C.S. Lewis, [Problem of Pain, p.48]

We talk a lot about love but in truth human love is flawed; it is both vain and selfish. We love to be loved. If our love is rebuffed, we stop loving, and may even begin hating. The truth is, we are not pure enough or mature enough to love. Lewis believed that God created us to be objects of His affection. God is love and we are created to be recepients of His great love. Through God’s discipline and chastisement, we become trained to recieve and enjoy His love, but this is not our natural state. It is a part of our sanctification. God is preparing us to be His lover. Sometimes we resent the training or the discipline but it is all a part of the process.

You will think my analogy is weird but it simplifies the truth above. Mandy and Jason have a bulldog named Woody. Woody still does some dog things but he doesn’t live like an ordinary dog. He has been trained. He is house broken. He lives inside. He takes baths and stays clean. He does not have to endure the harsh elements of winter nor the heat of summer. Do you think Woody loves Jason and Mandy? I can tell you, he does. I hate to be envious of dog, but Woody has it made. He gets pampered, petted, bathed, fed, etc. He even gets to watch his favorite TV shows.

So you are thinking…OK Bro. Jack, the dog is pampered and petted, what is the point. The point is he had to be trained in order to become a recepient of Mandy and Jason’s love. They don’t love wild dogs; matter of fact, Jason would send a mongrel to dog heaven. There is no way Woody could be living this life without proper training.

We are Woody. Our love is infinitely inferior to God’s love just as Mandy and Jason’s love for Woody is superior to woody’s love. God is not satisfied with out inability to love or recieve love so He is sanctifying us, making us holy, making us able to recieve and enjoy His love.

In one sense of the word, Woody does not live like a dog; he lives more like a human. He has been elevated by his Master’s love. God is elevating us to a higher level.

Extra

Make sure you see the two words NOT PRIMARILY in Lews’ quote. We are made to love God but primarily to be the recepients of His love because this is what enables us to love Him and others.

I bought a digital rain gage yesterday but the numbers on it are so small, I can barely read them. Either we got far less than an inch or I’m misreading the instrument.

49er Fellowship today at 11:30, potato bar with all the trimmings. Went to see Max play at Hartselle last night and plan to go to the Brewer game tonight unless it is raining hard.

Then June and I plan to leave for Michigan Saturday morning. Melanie Mitchell is home. I missed her yesterday but she was at the doctor.

I hope you have a great day and thanks for reading the blog.