Love levels

Of all the things that we might think we love, there are widely varying levels of our feelings for them. Most often this is determined by looks, benefits, and compatibility. The greater the “love”, the greater the commitment will be to that person or thing. Years of debt will be taken on to acquire that bells-and-whistles car, while the rest of life’s resources, time, and energy can be committed to securing that person that has you wrapped around their little finger. The issue with what we like to call love is that commitments change when reasons are altered. The car and the person get older and potentially lose what might be given up to retain them. Dedicated commitments without attraction or merit of some kind are pretty much nonexistent.

This is what makes the love of God so amazing. His commitment to us has nothing to do with all the standard reasons for loving. In fact, it would seem that He is most motivated in His love for the least attractive, most broken, and furthest from Him. He called us His friend long before we gave Him the time of day. Then, He demonstrated His highest level of love by laying down His life for us- still while we were a mess. Also, for those who have been part of the family, but fallen away, His love remains unshaken as He pursues us passionately. Even when there is a defiant and intentional departure from His presence to love the world and all that’s in it, He celebrates our return like it’s the best thing ever. His love is certainly unrelatable to any earthly reference. This is why heaven is where the party is at with every turning His way. This was what He was seeing on the way to the cross – countless heavenly eruptions of parties for those accepting the greatest love. It’s as if the Father loves us as much as Jesus Himself. (John 17:23) Never counting our failures against us, He is faithfully prepared to start up the music for those who have been the furthest from Him - no greater love than this.

Notes

The greater the love the greater the commitment.

John 15:13 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.

His love has nothing to do with us before Him.

Romans 5:6-8 6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Found a friend in Jesus – chosen from outside the family.

The whole world is His passion.

John 17:20-21 20 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

Luke 15 – Parables – Greatest celebrations for the return of the lost and prodigal.

His love for us – same as for Jesus…

John 17:23 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.

His highest love is ever pursuing our return and abundant life.

John 3:16-17 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Prayer:

Father, You are amazing in so many ways. What I am most drawn to right now, though, is how You never turn me away. Your love for me is unaffected by those things that should bring rejection and condemnation. Thank you so much for laying down Your life for me. Please start up the heavenly music as I turn from failed love of the world to this amazing love from You that is like no other.