[No date given.]
No words can express the varying states of the mind. We must use them in different senses, as the words, fear, repentance, belief. So of the word love. We love an infant and we love God. In all cases love includes delight in its object, and the desire for its possession and enjoyment according to its nature.
If human language cannot express what is in us, it must be still more inadequate when used of God. We speak of God being angry, of his hating the wicked, of his repenting, etc.
Two dangers:1st. That we take these words literally. 2d. That we deprive them of all meaning. The true ground is, that the essential idea, what they express as removing all imperfection, is true of God. He is truly holy, just and good. He truly lives.
What is meant by the love of God, or of Christ?
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Not mere benevolence. The distinctions between the two are universally recognized and must be observed.
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Not mere philanthropy. But love in the true sense of the word.
Now of this love it is to be noted,
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That it is personal. Its objects are individuals. Christ loves his friends, his Church, his sheep. Paul says he loves me. There is the greatest difference between love that has a class of beings for its object, and love which fastens on particular persons. We know this from consciousness.
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This love is mysterious. It is unaccountable. We are not only unlovely, but vile and offensive, and enemies. It is compared to the love of a mother for a child, which is independent of its character.
The love of Christ is therefore of the nature of grace. This is its peculiar character. This is insisted upon in the Scriptures. This is of the utmost practical importance.
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It is infinitely great. a. The love of an infinite being. b. It led to the greatest sacrifice. c. It secures infinite blessings.
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It is immutable. This is insisted upon in Romans 5. and 8. This too is of great practical importance.
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It is peculiar and exclusive. Compared to the love of a bridegroom to his bride. In this no one can share. This peculiarity of the love of Christ is dwelt upon in the Scriptures with great particularity. Thy Maker is thy husband. The Church is the bride of Christ. This is reciprocated.
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It is the love of the Theanthropos, of the God-man. It includes all that is divine and all that is human.
This is the love of Christ. The wonder of wonders. The glorious mystery of redemption. The admiration of angels, the delight and blessedness of the saints.
The effects of this love on the soul.
When revealed by the Spirit, and shed abroad in the heart, it produces,
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Wonder, astonishment.
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The greatest humility.
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It awakens love. We love him because he first loved us.
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It leads to entire devotion, to consecration. The love of Christ constrains us.
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It purifies and exalts.
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It fills the soul with unutterable delight.
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It supports under all trials and brings heaven down to earth.
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