Growing up in a world that emphasized robust theology, I used look down on those who emphasized God’s love too much. It seemed to be at the expense of right theology. Those who sang about God’s love & seemed to only talk about it, were too “wishy-washy” for me.
But, friends, a laser focus on the Father’s love for us through Christ, *is* right theology. That is the life of the Son in us. It was the Father’s unfailing love for the Son – and the Son’s faith in it – that carried Christ here on earth, all the way to the cross and beyond.
Listen to how much he talked & prayed about it (these are all Christ’s words):
The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand (John 3:35).
For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel (John 5:20).
Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world (John 17:24).
For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again (John 10:17).
Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love (John 15:9).
I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them (John 17:26).
I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me (John 17:23).
If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love (John 15:10).
Jesus *knew* His Father loved him. He delighted in it, it fueled his confidence and motivated his obedience. Our natural bent because of the flesh is to abide in performance and to focus on our own righteousness. But Christ’s life gives us a new normal, a new place to abide.
Friends – let’s ask the Father to increase our faith so that we live only through the Son.
It is the only way that redeeming love can be our theme now & always.
Aylín Merck 