I am often asked, “Why should I love God?” There are multiple reasons why, but Bernard of Clairvaux gave these reasons. He said one is to love because there is no one more worthy of your love. Two, no one can return more in response to the love he or she has received.
He wrote, “God deserves our love because he first loved us. His love for us was genuine because he sought nothing for himself. See the object of his love: enemies. ‘For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him though the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!’ (Romans 5:10). God’s love was unconditional…How much did he love? The answer is in John’s Gospel: ‘For God so loved the world that he gave this one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’ (John 3:16). The Son, speaking of himself said, ‘The greatest way to show love for friends is to die for them.’ (John 15:13). We, the wicked, then should love the Righteous One in return.”
Ponder the deep love of God for you. Allow it to drench your soul. Respond in awe at the vastness of His love.
This week’s reading:
- Monday – Matthew 23
- Tuesday – Matthew 24
- Wednesday – Matthew 25
- Thursday – Matthew 26
- Friday – Matthew 27
Please Pray for:.
- The Ministers and St. Paul UMC family.
- Those who are unwillingly absent.
- Those who are grieving and depressed.
- The United Methodist Church.
- Our nation and our leaders.
- The World.
- The Lost.