Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9 [NIV]
Isn’t it one of the strangest things about the Christian faith that our lives find meaning in revolving around someone we’ve never actually seen! Virtually all our earthly relationships are aided by sight. Being able to see who you’re talking to is what makes Skype so popular. But the one who has our affections most of all is someone we can’t see. Relating to Jesus is done by faith. Loving and believing in Jesus go hand in hand (v.8).
“You love him.” (v.8) Love is the hallmark of Christians. This love is worked out in many ways – loving those in the Christian community, loving people around us, loving ourselves appropriately. Because we’re made in the image of God, all humans are capable of this love for each other. As we’re renewed and are becoming like God by the work of his Holy Spirit, love is something that should be anticipated in the life of Christians to an even greater extent. But this love for Jesus is something else; it is absolutely unique to Christians. In asking where we are at in our journeys as Christians it is always worth asking ourselves this: Do I love Jesus? And do I love him more this week/month/year than the last? Growing love is a sign of the Spirit’s work in our lives.
How do you express your love for Jesus? American psychologist Gary Chapman coined the expression “love languages” to describe how humans communicate their love. The five he describes are quality time, gifts, words of affirmation, physical touch and acts of service. The basic concept is that you most easily receive love in ways that you are most likely to express it. Wonderfully, whatever our make-up and personality, each of the “love languages” is applicable to our relationship with Jesus. We can love him with our time, with our gifts, with words of praise, with physical expressions of worship, and with acts of service to others in his name. We do it because we love him, and he knows and receives it as love. What comes most easily to you? It’s ok for this to be a default. But think about which is less easy for you too. You might find it easy to serve, but actually telling Jesus that you love him is a struggle. Ask the Spirit to help you step out in new ways of expressing your love for Jesus. You might find that you know his love in a fresh way in return, the experience of which leads to “inexpressible and glorious joy.” (v.8) There’s nothing like the joy of being in love, and knowing that one day you will see your Lover.
Read the passage again. Slowly. What else is God saying to you through these words?
Take time to express your love for Jesus as you pray now. Allow yourself to sense his joy.
Olly Mears
No comments:
Post a Comment