DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- ENDURING LOVE

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – ENDURING LOVE

"And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved." (II Corinthians 12:15)

Listen to the NIV rendering of this verse: "I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you, even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me." This is the heart of the Apostle and his love for the church at Corinth. This is the essence of agape love – the sacrificing of one's self even though the other person does not return the love.

The Apostle's main goal is found in verse 19 – "But we do all things, beloved, for your edification." The driving force of his life was to build other people in the faith, even at great personal cost of expending himself.

I think this is an illustration of God's heart for us. Jesus was fully spent for people who do not love Him back. "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Jesus gave His life for us when we were His enemies – when we did not love Him.

I think Jesus' love was the foundations for Paul's love for the Corinthian Believers. He loved them deeply even though they did not always love him in return.

But it poses a great question: How much do I love those who do not love me back? How much am I willing to spend of my emotional energy on those who spit in my face?

Agape love does not quit just because it is not received. It keeps on loving even if there is no return of that love. Oh, what love!

Love sent the Savior to die in my stead, Why did He love me so?

Meekly to Calvary's cross He was led, Why did He love me so?

Why did He love me so? Why did He love me so?

Why did my Savior to Calvary go? Why did He love me so?

Love, Dad