But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.
I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. | 2 Corinthians 8.7-9
This week we saw God’s love compared to a stalker chasing a harlot, a mother hen protecting her young, a hero rescuing from a burning car, and a Father. Each of these gives a perspective of God’s love, which when assembled present us with a love that is gracious, just, caring, and forceful. The question is, what are we supposed to do with it when we have it?
We have the tendency to devalue something once it is in our possession. The classic example is the difference between being a girlfriend or a wife; guys will woo you and whisper sweet nothings, but once they put a ring on it, romantic often becomes much more of a challenge. The reality is: we value the experience more than the commitment. We are excited by the chase, but not as motivated for the day in/day out process of loving.
The proper response to the love of God is not any one thing; it is not an act you can quickly accomplish so that you can move on to the next thing; it is the hard work of allowing His love to infiltrate ALL parts of your life (But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you). As you act out a devout commitment to Him, you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is not some head understanding, but an experience of His love for you. In other words, the deep love we all long for can be experienced, but it comes from obedience.
Do not let the monotonous work of everyday obedience blind you from the amazing love of God; do not let the flashy promises of immediacy steal the experience of God’s love from you.