What About Love

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Loving on this new grandson has been such a privilege.

February14
Happy Valentine's Day to each of you!  Whether you get flowers, chocolates or a card, remember you are loved deeply!

"We love because he first loved us."  1 John 4:19

Lying in bed after a wonderful day of staring at this new grandchild and helping to care for his parents, I had love on my mind. It truly blows my mind how internally woven love is for our children and grandchildren. Serving those you love is a joy.

Googling "John Piper's outlook on love," a thought provoking sermon appeared. The title was
"The Goal of God's Love May Not be What You Think It Is."

"'Christ became a servant...in order that the nations might glorify God for his mercy' (Romans 15:8-9). God has been merciful to us so that we would magnify him.  We see it again in the words, 'In love (God) destined us to adoption...to the praise of the glory of His grace' (Ephesians 1:4-6).  In other words, the goal of God's loving us is that we might praise him. One  more illustration from Psalm 86:12-13: 'I will glorify your name forever. For your lovingkindness toward me is great.'  God's love is the ground.  His glory is the goal.

This is shocking. The love of God is not God's making much of us, but God's saving us from self-centeredness so that we can enjoy making much of him forever.  And our love to others is not our making much of them, but helping them to find satisfaction in making much of God.

 This is the ultimately loving aim of Christ's death.  He did not die to make much of us, but to free us to enjoy making much of God forever."

 Jesus' love is the best gift we can receive.

 Here is a worldly flashback.  In 1966, I would have only been nine years old, but my sister was sweet sixteen.  Burt Bacharach's song, Alfie, was a hot single. I remember the sheet music on our piano. While not a Christian song, the lyrics have some good jumping off points which can propel an excellent discussion about the Greatest Love we all can experience. God's love.

"As sure as I believe  there's a heaven above...I know there's something much more."

 Song Lyrics:
What's it all about, Alfie? Is it just for the moment we live?
What's it all about when you sort it out, Alfie? Are we meant to take more than we give or
are we mean to be kind?
And if only fools are kind, Alfie then I guess it is wise to be cruel.
And it life belongs, only to the strong, Alfie. What will you lend on an old golden rule?
As sure as there's a heaven above, Alfie, I know there's something much more,
Something even non-believers can believe in.
I believe in love, Alfie, without true love we just exist, Alfie.
Until ou find the love you'e missed you're nothing, Alfie
When you walk let your heart lead the way and you'll find love any day, Alfie, Alfie.
Songwriters: Burt Bacharach / Hal David

(I have no clue what the movie was about, so if it's disrespectful in any way, forgive me.
Just found the lyrics intriguing....Just went to look up the movie. It sounds awful and depressing.
About a British womanizer, who certainly doesn't find Christ's love.)

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