clear love or puzzling love?
"When He is dealing with the arrogant, He is stern, but to the humble He shows kindness." —Proverbs 3:34
God is perfect, crucified, unconditional, and infinite Love. He wants to lavish His love on us in ways we would appreciate. However, His love is always given to lead us to salvation and sanctification. Thus, many times the Lord expresses His love in ways difficult for us to understand. For example, if we are proud, the Lord will be stern to us to challenge the pride which endangers our salvation (Prv 3:34; 1 Pt 5:5). Also, the Lord often wishes to bathe us in light when we hear His Word. Moreover, the Lord wishes to answer all our petitions as requested. But because of our sinfulness and selfishness, we often ask wrongly (Jas 4:3). Then the Lord shows His love by answering our prayers in ways which puzzle us but can contribute to our salvation and sanctification.
The Lord is very lavish in doing miracles, healings, and deliverances, but He doesn't want anyone to conclude that anything other than the cross is the essence of life in Christ. The Lord has even delayed His final coming for the sake of the salvation of as many people as possible (see 2 Pt 3:9, 15).
Repent, give your life totally to Jesus, and seek holiness. Then God's love will be very clear to you.
Prayer: Father, mold me into the image of Your Son.
Promise: "There is nothing hidden that will not be exposed, nothing concealed that will not be known and brought to light." —Lk 8:17
Praise: For over twenty years, Donna prayed for her alcoholic husband. God broke through in his life and led him to sobriety.
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 15, 2017
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