1Peter1:8-9
In Romans 5:8 Paul writes: "...God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."
This is what happens when we are born-again: God pours His Holy Spirit into our lives. And God is love.
Peter, writing about trials being like gold refined in fire, also writes about this miracle: We can't see God, but as we receive His love for us, we begin to love Him.
Think about it: We can't see God, but we love Him.
Why?
- Because we were created that way - to be in relationship with Him
- Because He has relentlessly loved us in every sunrise AND in sending Jesus
- Because His Holy Spirit breathes life into our once-dead souls and LIFE is bubbling up inside us.
So, when we begin to feel love for God, it is because His LIFE is stirring in us. Adam and Eve, left to themselves after the fall, hid from God, and that's our story too.
But when we begin to feel love for God, its because He is bringing us back to life - a miracle is taking place. And the logical next step is what Peter talks about in our text: "inexpressible and glorious joy."
That's why, when work turns into labour, we look to the love for God and others that is bubbling up inside of us and recognise that it is the sure sign of the "goal of our faith, the salvation of our souls."
And labour gets a bit easier.
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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
