The Cross and Love

The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love… (Jer 31:3)

We shouldn't misinterpreted the love of God, as much as He has never changing so are His ways and His love towards His children. To reduce the love of God is to reduce Him, for God is love. The same love He loved us, is the same love we ought to love one another (1 John 3:16, 4:11). God’s love is Jesus laying down His life for us, hence we do likewise. God’s standard of love hasn't changed; therefore we shouldn't look at His love with human goose bump sentimentalism. God is not man.

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith …. (2Pe 1:5)

We are indeed saved by grace through faith (Eph 2:8); there is no doubt about this truth. But the Apostle Peter beckons us not to stop at faith but continue to maturity and not barrenness and fruitlessness (2 Pet 1:8). The level of maturity, Peter tells us, is brotherly kindness which is above godliness (2 Pet 1:7). Most would think that Christ-likeness is the chief goal, but it is to love others. For God is love… to be godly is to love others. The love of God is laying down self for others, esteeming others above self. The cross of laying down self will take us to this position that loving self is negated and replaced with loving others.